Political pressure thwarts response to schools desperate for teachers

The director of the 'Merhavim' Institute, Oren Cohen-Magen, accuses Education Minister Yoav Kisch of yielding to political pressure from far-right elements and scaling back the 'Meshilvim veMishtalvim' program to integrate Arab teachers into Hebrew schools, despite a severe teacher shortage and inspection findings that found no fault with the institute's conduct. The minister ordered a gradual reduction of the program, termination of the partnership with the institute, a 50% cut in the number of integrated teachers, and cancellation of incentives for schools.

In an op-ed published on the 'Davar' website, Oren Cohen-Magen, CEO of the 'Merhavim' Institute, calls on Education Minister Yoav Kisch to halt the reduction of the 'Meshilvim veMishtalvim' program, which integrates Arab teachers into Hebrew schools. The program, operating successfully for over a decade, is under political and media attack from the 'Meirim' organization linked to the far right and from the chairman of the Education Committee, MK Tzvi Sukkot of 'Otzma Yehudit', who claim that integrating Arab teachers harms the Jewish character. Cohen-Magen emphasizes that a comprehensive examination conducted by the Ministry of Education in February 2026 found no fault with the institute's conduct, but the findings were pushed aside. The minister decided on a gradual reduction of the program, termination of the partnership with the institute, a 50% reduction in the number of integrated teachers within three years, and cancellation of incentives for schools. Additionally, the transfer of about 1,000 additional hours to schools that absorb Arab teachers was halted. Cohen-Magen argues that this is a capitulation to political pressure and warns of a dangerous message of moral retreat. He calls on the minister to choose between yielding to extremist elements and courageous, professional leadership.