The Israeli government has recently announced its intention to remove our Dialogue Meeting programs from GEFEN, the Ministry of Education’s External Programs system. This move is based on false allegations that the Dialogue Meetings denigrate Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers.
Unfortunately, this announcement is already causing harm. This past week, the city of Kfar Sava cancelled its long-standing Dialogue Meeting in its schools due to fear of backlash.
The PCFF remains committed to promoting peace, humanization, and reconciliation through its work. The PCFF is encouraged by the support of the Association of School Principals for Civil Rights, who declared their full support for the PCFF and similar organizations to be invited to schools:
“We fully support inviting the Parents Circle to schools and encourage other schools not to be afraid of inviting similar organizations.
It is our duty as school principals to teach our students about diverse opinions and positions, and to strengthen the democratic nature of our country.”
To read the full statement from the Principals, click here.
The Parents Circle is on the frontlines on Israel’s attack on democracy. Your support is essential to help the PCFF maintain its voice in Israeli schools.
Please consider donating now to help the PCFF continue its vital work.
To donate by check, please mail to:
American Friends of the Parents Circle
4 E 95th St 5C
New York, NY 10128
To donate by check, please mail to:
American Friends of the Parents Circle
4 E 95th St 5C
New York, NY 10128
Statement from the Association of School Principals for Civil Rights
February 2023
“We, School Principals for Civil Rights in Israel, have witnessed massive pressure on schools and principals to cancel meetings with the Parents Circle – Families Forum (Bereaved Israelis and Palestinians for Peace). Despite threats from various extremist parties, we stand firm in our belief that democratic education must include exposure to diverse opinions and viewpoints. In these times when division and threats to democracy are high, it is more important than ever to emphasize this.
We are proud to say that the Dialogue Meeting program with the PCFF is part of the approved program database of the Ministry of Education. We fully support the Reali School for their choice to invite the PCFF to their school and encourage other schools not to be afraid of inviting similar organizations. It is our duty as school principals to teach our students about diverse opinions and positions, and to strengthen the democratic nature of our country.
We will continue to uphold the principles of education as written in the state education law, including the development of respect for human rights and democratic values, and the pursuit of peace and tolerance in relations between people and nations. Our actions are in line with the principles and values expressed in the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel. By doing so, we will ensure that our students are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to defend and strengthen democracy.
In conclusion, we, as school principals, declare our unwavering commitment to upholding democratic values through education and to not yielding to pressure and threats from extremist parties.”