From the Liveblog of
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Protesting teachers say they are fighting not just for fair pay but for democratic values
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
At a protest outside the Education Ministry against the potential dismissal of a teacher who has been active in protesting for fair pay, demonstrators emphasize that they are fighting not only for teachers’ rights but are also part of what they see as a broader struggle for democratic values.
“The protest is addressing two crises: the status of teachers and education, but also the defense of democracy — something that this government doesn’t value,” the principal of Tel Aviv’s Ironi Alef High School, Yoav Pridan, tells The Times of Israel.
Pridan, who heads one of the largest arts high schools in Israel, is on sabbatical but says he came to support his fellow educators.
“Teachers and the education system in general are a low priority for this government, which has politicized this issue,” he says. “This isn’t — and shouldn’t be — an issue of the left or right. It shouldn’t be political at all.”
Also in attendance at the protest is MK Naama Lazimi (The Democrats).
“We have to stand in solidarity with teachers,” she tells The Times of Israel. “They are fighting for their right to earn a respectable living and for our children’s future.”
“As a mother, and as someone married to a teacher, it’s important to be here. There’s no state without public service — it has to be developed and supported.”
The Times of Israel Community.