Despite the promises: another school year will open in the north - without protection

In about two weeks the school year will open, but permits to protect 250 educational institutions in the north have not yet been granted. A year ago, the Defense Ministry issued a tender costing 140 million shekels to protect kindergartens, but the money did not arrive. Local authorities prepared, but the initial approval was not realized. The Finance Ministry claims the money was given to the Defense Ministry, while the Defense Ministry says the matter is being handled. MK Gilad Kariv called it "another criminal negligence of the government" and State Control Committee chair MK Alon Shuster said "children in the north cannot wait for another discussion."

In about two weeks the school year will open, but permits to protect 250 educational institutions in the north have not yet been granted, as reported this evening on Kan News. A year ago, the Defense Ministry issued a tender costing 140 million shekels to protect kindergartens in the north, but the money did not arrive. Local authorities prepared, but the initial approval given to protect about 250 institutions was not realized. The Finance Ministry claims the money was given to the Defense Ministry, but sources in the Defense Ministry say the matter is being handled and it is unclear when a new call for the project will be issued. The Defense Ministry refused to comment on the publication. MK Gilad Kariv (The Democrats) said this is "another criminal negligence of the government," and that "hundreds of daycares and kindergartens will open in two weeks in northern communities without protection, despite an explicit commitment to local authorities and the Knesset." He added: "This is a direct abandonment of the children of the north, and a continuation of the government's reckless conduct regarding home front protection." State Control Committee chair MK Alon Shuster said: "There is no justification for the fact that almost a year after authorities submitted requests and hundreds of institutions were approved in principle, it is still impossible to begin protection works. Children in the north cannot wait for another discussion, another decision, or another transfer of responsibility between government ministries."