Some Israeli School Principals Say They Will Refuse to Have Students Visit Sites Related to German Atrocities Against non-Jewish Poles, Which the Agreement Requires the Students to See, Amid Concern That Some of the Sites Glorify People Who Were Involved in Killing Jews
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Feb. 10, 2021
The principal of a Jerusalem high school had been feeling over the past several days that she no longer had a choice. Although officially schools were not permitted to open due to the coronavirus pandemic, she invited students to come to school to meet with their teachers – outdoors and in small groups.
“We’re seeing the teenagers wither before our very eyes, and we have a responsibility towards them,” said the principal, who didn’t wish to be identified. The decision, she insisted, was in keeping with the recently eased guidelines approved by the cabinet.
Schools have remained closed during the lockdown, but in general, gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed outdoors and five indoors. Many of the country’s principals have been walking a fine line between observing the Health Ministry coronavirus guidelines and the ban on opening schools.