Maoz says he is still working to gain control over external programming in schools

Noam party leader and Deputy Minister Avi Maoz says he has not yet given up on gaining control over external programming in Israel’s schools, despite the holdup that has stalled the formation of his Jewish National Identity authority, slated to be moved to the Prime Minister’s Office.

“I haven’t canceled any plan,” Maoz tells The Times of Israel at the outset of his one-man faction meeting. “I have responsibility over the unit,” he asserts.

The external programming unit is still housed within the Education Ministry, Education Minister Yoav Kisch confirms to The Times of Israel, saying that only one full-time position has moved from the ministry to working for Maoz’s office.

A source close to Maoz says his office has been held up by administrative issues and “distractions” taking up government leaders’ attention, including a political crisis stemming from Shas leader Aryeh Deri being disqualified as a minister and the government’s push to pass a broad judicial reform.