In the aftermath of the arson on a dual Arabic-Hebrew language kindergarten school in Jerusalem, the Ministry of Education and the Jerusalem Municipality have come out in condemnation of the attack, while the left is arguing Netanyahu and his policy of incitement is to blame.
As children returned to school this morning, forensic police remained on site to investigate the incident. While no one was injured in the fire, the kindergarten was heavily damaged.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has also come to the school Sunday morning. In response to the attack, Barkat stated Saturday night, “We will not allow pyromaniacs and violators of the public order to take law into their own hands and disrupt the routine of our lives.”
Education Minister Shai Piron (Yesh Atid) and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (Hatnua), as well as other officials, are set to arrive to the school later on Sunday.
Piron condemned the decision to cause harm to a kindergarten, calling the arson “a violent, criminal, and despicable act that undermines the foundation of democracy.”
Meanwhile, the left-wing Meretz party has already found a culprit for the “price-tag” attack, joining Labor MK Itzik Shmuli in blaming Netanyahu and Likud.
“Incitement is the direct result of the ‘Jewish State Law’ which gives legitimacy to harm the fabric of relations between Jews and Arabs. This is a violent act against those who wish to promote coexistence and equality.”
Peace Now Chief Yariv Oppenheimer also blamed the fire on the “extreme right” through the hands of Netanyahu, claiming that “the extreme right is encouraged by the government to burn up every good part that remains [in Israel].”
The Jerusalem’s Parent Organization condemned the arson Saturday, calling it an abomination. “Burning textbooks and innocent children’s school equipment is evidence of evil intention – outlaws who committed this act to incite, corrupt, and undermine the daily school life of all children in Jerusalem.”
“We strengthen the hands of parents, children, teachers, and school administration on this difficult evening, and call for all schools in the city to open the school day tomorrow with a conversation about this case and the serious consequences of incitement and racism in Israeli society,” the organization added.
