The new program, coming at a time of heightened social divisions in Israel, is per the directive of Education Minister Yoav Kisch to make Israel's schools have a culture of tolerance.
The Religious Zionist community makes up about 23% (or 130,000) of the city’s total Jewish residents, and their children have approximately 82 state-run religious elementary and high schools.
Five-year plan gets green light after being delayed by Finance Minister Smotrich's objection to funding of college preparatory program for Arab students