School tour in Jerusalem? Mom won't let me
Concerned parents request school board cancel trip due to worsening security situation in capital; Education Ministry: 'No directive was sent out to cancel trips.'
Rishon Letzion's Gan Nachum High School announced Sunday that it was cancelling the planned selichot (Jewish penitential prayers) tour to Jerusalem for 80 high school seniors because of tensions in the capital.
The announcement of the cancellation was made after the school board received many requests from parents concerned over a recent escalation in violence that's included riots and attacks on civilians with stones and firebombs.
Mickey Alon, chairman of the school's parents' board said Sunday night, "I am personally in favor of hearing parents' opinions who prefer this trip not take place at this time. There is communication between the school board and the parents, and if most of them prefer leaving the kids at home, I support it."
This is not the first time that schools have decided to cancel trips planned in Jerusalem. One year ago, Tel Aviv City Hall was supposed to send eighth-grade students to Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs in Jerusalem, but decided to cancel the trip because of the security situation in the capital.
Rishon Letzion City Hall said in response, "At the parents' request to the school board, the principal decided to cancel the trip."
The Education Ministry also responded, saying, "No directive was sent out to cancel trips and in any case of permissions granted for trips, the ministry operates under the instructions of the competent bodies, namely, the army and the police."
