After Eisenkot Calls for Protests Against New Gov’t, Lapid Calls on Local Authorities to ‘Protect Education’

After National Unity MK Gadi Eisenkot on Thursday called for a massive wave of protests against a host of reforms that Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu’s emerging coalition intends to pursue, outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid called on local authorities to use their authority to combat changes that Noam MK Avi Maoz may make with the external education programming unit that is set to be under his control in the incoming government.

A copy of the coalition agreement between Maoz and the Likud seen on Wednesday revealed that Maoz will receive control of the Education Ministry’s unit responsible for external programming at schools.

The Unit for External Programs and Promotion of Partnerships is responsible for “the development and leading of dialogue between societal sectors in the units of the Education Ministry while imparting skills for sharing processes and creating a culture of participatory governance.” Everything from art programs to science programs to political and societal programs are offered by external organizations with the approval of the unit.

“I am writing to you with great concern for the future of the education system and the state, since the new government established in Israel has abandoned the education of our children and handed them over to the most extreme and dark elements in Israeli society,” wrote Lapid, in a letter that was published on the letterhead of the Prime Minister’s Office.