Northern Israel’s children need protected classrooms, not more promises - opinion

An opinion piece argues that approximately 250 kindergartens in northern Israel began the school year without full protection against rocket attacks. The author contends that while plans and budgets have been approved, bureaucratic delays between government ministries prevent execution. A mother from Kfar Vradim expresses a wish for one uninterrupted school year for her children.

An opinion piece by Tira-El Cohen argues that approximately 250 kindergartens across northern Israel opened the 2026 school year without full protection against rocket attacks, lacking standard safe rooms within a few seconds' walk. The author contends that while the need has been recognized, plans approved, and budgets promised, bureaucratic delays between the Home Front Command, Finance Ministry, Defense Ministry, and local councils prevent execution. A mother from Kfar Vradim is quoted expressing a wish for one uninterrupted year of school for her children. Amit Sofer, head of the Merom Hagalil Regional Council, says approved funding has not been transferred more than six months after approval. The piece compares the situation to the Tekuma Directorate established for the Gaza border communities after October 7, noting that the North's Tenufa Directorate lacks the authority to shorten the distance between approval and execution. The author calls for a single address with clear authority and short timelines to protect schools and keep families rooted in border communities.