Education minister pushes to fire Herzliya teacher who called mother of slain hostage a ‘disgusting Bibi-supporter’

Yotam Gutman, a teacher from Herzliya, will face a disciplinary hearing for his remarks on X about Iris Haim, the outspoken mother of Yotam Haim, one of three Israeli hostages in Gaza who were accidently killed by the IDF on December 15, Education Minister Yoav Kisch announces.

Kisch says he was “shocked” by Gutman’s “ridiculous words” and notes that Iris Haim promotes “strength and unity,” something that “teachers and educators should pass on to the younger generation.”

“Everyone is entitled to their opinions…but a teacher has the duty and responsibility” to distinguish between personal opinions and educational responsibilities, Kisch continues, and notes that he has asked the Herzliya municipality to call a hearing on Gutman to make a “professional examination” about his continuing employment as an educator.

Gutman wrote last night on X: “Can we say already that she is intolerable? A disgusting Bibi-supporter who has been in the limelight ever since her son was shot… why do we have to put up with her in the [TV] studios?”

After a mini-media firestorm, Gutman, who is very active on X, apologizes this morning, writing: “I apologize for yesterday’s tweet. It was wrong to hurt her dignity and I ask for her forgiveness.”