Demonstrators oppose fund cuts for Christian schools

“JERUSALEM – Police say about 2,500 striking demonstrators have gathered outside the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem to protest against the slashing of funds for Christian schools.

“Christian school administrators accuse Israel of cutting their funding as a tactic to pressure them to join the Israeli public school system — a move they say would interfere with the schools' Christian values and high academic achievements.

“Some 33,000 students in 47 schools have been on strike since the school year began on Sept. 1. Arab lawmakers joined students, parents and principals at Sunday's demonstration.

“Protesters complain of discrimination since Israel continues to fully fund large private school networks that cater to ultra-Orthodox Jews while it slashes the Christians' budget.

“Ragheed Massad, a student from Nazareth, said ‘there is no equality for our schools.’"

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/09/06/thousands-protest-slashing-public-funding-for-christian-schools-in-israel/?intcmp=hplnws

Not surprisingly, Al Jazeera puts it this way: ‘Palestinian teachers, students strike in Israel over school budget cuts.’

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/9/3/israels-christian-schools-on-strike-over-funding.html

Al Jazeera also says: “In the past, Israel covered 60 to 75 percent of the schools’ operating budgets. Over the past five years, however, the Ministry of Education decreased its funding to just 29 percent, according to Haaretz. To recoup the difference, schools raised tuitions. But last summer Israel imposed a cap on tuition hikes set so low that many schools say they can no longer afford to cover their expenses.”