BREAKING NEWS

Israeli university heads warn of ‘erosion’ of democracy at Knesset event

MAY 8, 2016 20:48

The foundations of Israeli democracy are eroding, the presidents of eight Israeli universities warned in a joint statement issued Sunday.

They made these remarks ahead of Education and Democracy Day at the Knesset, which held on Sunday as part of the events marking the 50th anniversary of the Givat Ram parliament building in Jerusalem.

As part of the day, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein met with the university presidents to discuss pressing issues relating to education and democracy.

"All the university presidents arrived in the Knesset of Israel to warn about the gradual and continuous erosion of the foundations of Israeli democracy, which is manifested in hurtful discourse, verbal violence and lack of tolerance towards the other and the different,” the university presidents said in their statement.

“We believe that educating students to uphold democratic values is necessary in order to curtail this erosion and create a basis for a joint existence of all segments of the torn Israeli society, while preserving the dignity of every person,” they said.

The university heads further added that they believe the Knesset should “initiate and lead a different discourse - tolerant and honorable.”

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