Continuing his policy of reducing the gaps between diverse sectors of the Israeli population, Minister of Education Naftali Bennett announced the creation of an academic college in northern Israel for Arab students.
Minister of Education Naftali Bennett, head of the Jewish Home party, announced on Monday the establishment of an academic college for Arab students in northern Israel.
“There is no doubt that the Arab public lacks an academic institution of excellence, which is suited to the demand and will advance equality within Israeli society,” Bennett said.
“In accordance with the vision which I outlined, we are continuing to act for the greater good of all of Israel – both Jews and Arabs as one. We will build the college and increase the accessibility to academic study for the Arab population in the north.”
Such initiatives, he explained, will also serve as an incentive to study in the country, rather than traveling abroad or enrolling at Palestinian-run institutions.
“The aim of establishing a college, over and above the equality issue, is to prevent Arab citizens from studying in institutions in Arab countries or in Hebron,” he said. “The correct course of action is that Israelis teach Israelis.”
Indeed, Hebron is a hotbed for Palestinian terror. Educational institutions, cultural events and media in the Palestinian Authority-administered territories have been condemned by Israeli, American and even UN officials for their incitement to violence against Israeli Jews.
“This is history for the Arab community and this is history for the State of Israel,” Bennett stated.
The education minister cited other steps he has taken to improve education and opportunities for the Arab sector. For example, “The decision for Hebrew to be taught in kindergartens in the Arab sector was taken with a view to the children’s future,” he said in an announcement in August. “We believe that the improvement of Hebrew among Arab students will result in their ability to more easily integrate into the Israeli workforce, and economy and society at large.”
By: Terri Nir, United with Israel