Instead of salaries for teachers, the government is funding the bombing and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza, as part of the expansion of the horrific military offensive that is also killing the possibility of a hostages/prisoners exchange deal—and the Israeli hostages themselves.
Yesterday the government was scheduled to meet to approve a proposal to increase the salaries of ministers and members of the Knesset. All of this during a wave of price increases and record profits for the tycoons and banks that the government serves.
Despite the anti-democratic court injunction that limited the teachers’ strike to one hour, some 25,000 teachers bravely boycotted classes for an entire day. The government wanted the court to issue anti-democratic injunctions against teachers and kindergarten teachers because it is weak and unpopular, and is afraid of the outbreak of massive public anger against it.
This weakness must be exploited because this government only understands power. Ran Erez, the chairman of the Teachers’ Union, is cynically evading the fight against the wage cuts, and refuses to back the teachers who are striking today. Enough with the wage cuts! The Teachers’ Union, together with all public sector workers, must join the fight and strike against the cuts with further escalation measures, against the war and destruction in Gaza that the cuts are designed to finance, and for reconstruction of Gaza, security for all, the release of all prisoners and hostages, and a life of prosperity and dignity for all residents on both sides of the fences!
