A sharp controversy has erupted at a high school in Kfar Shalem, one of the more conservative neighborhoods in Tel Aviv, after the municipality assigned 9 children without legal status from Eritrea and Sudan to the school. Among them are two Muslim teenage girls who wear hijabs.
Many parents have voiced strong opposition to the decision. Some used harsh racist language, with one widely circulated statement reading: “Take them to study in Gaza - our children won’t study with Arabs.” Parents have announced they will fight the placement, particularly the inclusion of the two hijab-wearing girls.
In contrast, the assignment of these students to other high schools in the city reportedly passed with relatively little resistance.
Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality’s Response:
“Every student in Tel Aviv-Jaffa is entitled to compulsory education services in the city’s schools, regardless of religion, race, or gender. These students are residents of the city and will be placed according to the rights they are entitled to. The Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality strongly condemns any racist behavior, especially when directed at children.”
The municipality emphasizes that the obligation to provide education applies to every child living in the city, in accordance with Israeli law.
It remains unclear whether the backlash will lead to any change in the placement. As of now, the city appears determined to uphold the principle of equal educational rights.
