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Teachers in civics war
Tomer Velmer
Published: 30.06.11, 00:09
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1. "Democracy studies" ?
Jules   (06.30.11)
"Democracy": literally means that the principal political institutions of the country (the parliament and the local authorities) are DIRECTLY ELECTED by the people. Nothing more or less. That concept can be easily grasped by any sane person in a few minutes. What can be "studied" here ?
2. Oath of Allegiance !!
mark ,   t.a. ISRAEL   (06.30.11)
WE SHOULD TEACH THEM HOW TO BE A FAITHFUL CITIZEN FOR THE COUNTRY !!
3. stupid left wing idiots
David ,   Haifa, Israel   (06.30.11)
4. Israelo-Jewish propaganda !
Gregg ,   Haifa, IL   (06.30.11)
Brainwashing its youth !
5. Never Compromise Zionism
John ,   Alaska   (06.30.11)
It sounds like there are a finite number of hours of instruction that students have, and there is more that the teachers want to instill than they have time in which to do so. That should be self-evident. It also seems l like you are SURROUNDED by people who are dedicated to the destruction of what they call "The Zionist Entity". If only one thing is instilled in your young people, it must be Zionism. This also should be self-evident. So why is there any controversy?
6. Teach "Jewish" in diaspora, Hebrew Israeli at home.
Michael ,   California, USA   (06.30.11)
Definitely, teach how to live in a democratic state, how to take part in the process, how to vote, teach the importance of paying taxes. Teach history of Zionism and of religion combined. Patriotism will spring up from such teaching. Get more money to pay the teachers.
7. I do not understand:
leo ,   usa   (06.30.11)
"The Education Ministry's decision to strengthen Jewish identity studies in civics classes at the expense of democracy studies is creating tension and rifts among teachers who are battling over the character and content of civics classes." .... Why is there rift. Those are not mutually exclusive subjects.
8. teaching about Israel in schools
Julie ,   Israel   (06.30.11)
yes, I can see where teachers who have no pride nor lyalty to Judaism or Israel would have a problem with this. they are the same teachers who probably aid the "Palestinian" cause rather than Israel's. Perhaps they should consider what the PARENTS want their children to be taught.
9. why these "teachers" argument does not hold water
Golan ,   modiin   (06.30.11)
In a democratic society where the rights of the individual trumps "all other considerations" we would not have had the ethnic cleansing ridiculously called the disengagement. We would also not have had a government who would have brought a terrorist organization into our borders under the wishful thinking that these Arab mass murderers would somehow neutralize Arian mass murderers (Iranians) Once again we have "democracy" confused with Leftist radicalism. No. democracy means you do not fear for your existence once the other party wins an election. It does not mean giving up ancestral lands to a terrorist organization who sends its people to blow us up in buses and pizzarias or shoots rockets at us and calls in "fire crackers." So kibutznikim you can stuff it.
10. Ronit Bloom.
Philip ,   Afula, Israel   (06.30.11)
Agree with you 100%.
11. Essential Subjects
Norman Gellman ,   Rehovot   (06.30.11)
These subjects are absolutely essential. Many Israelis do not have any realization of their Jewish identity and there is an unpatriotic trend to try to avoid military service. Teachers should be given a seminar on how to teach these subjects. I am afraid that the protesting teachers need to be trained in patriotic and civic duty themselves.
12. To Gideon Saar
Ehud ,   Jerusalem   (06.30.11)
Present ideas to our children and dont brain wash them. Between all the alternative ideologies they can decide for themselves. Or do you want to have a system that reflects only your own very very narrow world view. There is a word for this , as you should know.
13. am i missing something here?
oferdesade ,   israel   (06.30.11)
isn't zionism a homeland for the jews based on socialist values and democracy? jews, ie born of a jewish mother, and nor - for example - a catholic with peyes? democratic, as opposed to autocratic or theocratic? stop raping the language, guys. drop one and itsnot zionism. itsomethingelse
14. At the Expense of Democracy Studies?
Orly ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (07.01.11)
Interesting. In this country I have not met a native born citizen who has an inkling of a clue as to the nature of the Western concept of Democracy in regards to civil rights and human rights that form the cornerstone of a true democratic state - save for one, and he was convicted of sedition for organizing a protest of civil disobedience. Me thinks that the "democracy studies" currently in the Israeli school curriculum are quite dispensible in favor of just about *any* other subject, save for actual democracy studies, which no one seems to be advocating (at least not without the threat of being tried and convicted for sedition...). When the educators are enlightened as to the nature of democracy then their signatures will be worth more than the paper on which they sign their petitions. Right now that is not the case.
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