Parents allegedly burn kid’s preschool, teacher’s car

A preschool was set on fire early Tuesday morning in the southern Israeli town of Heletz, two hours after the preschool teacher’s car, which was parked near her home, was ignited.

No children were in the building at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported in either incident, though heavy damage was caused both to the preschool and to the vehicle.

Police investigators asserted that the children’s institution as well as the car were purposely targeted, possibly by disgruntled parents.

According to reports, earlier this year, the teacher informed authorities that she believed the parents of a child in the preschool had been acting violently and possibly beat their child.

The parents accused the teacher of spreading lies and requested that she be removed from her position.

Last week, the teacher reported to police that the parents had threatened her during a conversation.

Police said the parents were arrested and questioned following the teacher’s complaint. They were released a short while later.

In August, the teacher’s car tires were intentionally slashed.

Minister of Education Shai Piron (Yesh Atid) condemned the arson attack, which he said endangered the lives of innocent children.

Piron requested that law enforcement officers in the area make a special effort to take the perpetrators into custody.

He also spoke with the teacher and reassured her that authorities were doing everything they could in order to ensure her safety.

“Keep up the educational work you’ve been doing for years,” Piron told the teacher.