Beinisch refuses to listen to Yishai at hearing on schools

Supreme Court president rebuffs interior minister's request, during High Court discussion on teaching of core curriculum at haredi schools.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Eli Yishai (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Eli Yishai
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch forbade Interior Minister Eli Yishai from speaking at a High Court hearing regarding the implementation of Israel's core curriculum in haredi schools on Monday, telling the minister to address the court in writing.
The High Court was reviewing a petition submitted by the Center for Jewish Pluralism, calling for the Education Ministry to increase its enforcement of the teaching of core secular subjects in Haredi schools. The court ruled that the state must answer the petition within three months.
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During the hearing, a representative of the "Beis Ya'acov" schools accused the petitioners of forcing the haredi schools to follow their agenda, saying, "the instant that it comes to attempts at coercion, we close ourselves off."
Beinisch reacted angrily to that assertion, stating "we have already passed this stage. It has been ruled that core subjects must be taught [in haredi schools]."
The core curriculum is meant to teach all primary and secondary school students fundamental subjects, such as mathematics, English and subjects that teach them about citizenship and society, meant to establish a common denominator of skills and understanding for all children, whether they are secular, modern Orthodox or haredi.
Yishai asked to present the judges with data proving that yeshiva students receive instruction in these subjects, but was rebuffed by Beinisch.
Dan Izenberg contributed to this report