Association for Civil Rights files petition with Supreme Court against Yoav Kisch

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel announced on Wednesday that it has filed a petition with the Supreme Court against the Ministry of Education and Minister of Education Yoav Kisch. The statement noted that the petition was filed on behalf of Jewish and Arab educators and includes a demand to immediately cease the activities of the so-called "incitement committee" — an advisory body to the Director General that has been operating since 2016.

According to the petitioners, "the committee operates in the shadows with the goal of silencing and deterring teaching staff." The petition, filed with the Supreme Court last week, details what the Association describes as severe violations of fundamental rights, including freedom of speech, the right to privacy, freedom of occupation, and the right to due process.

The petition claims that the committee manages a mechanism for collecting information and monitoring teachers' activity on social networks, compiling "intelligence files" without transparency or providing an opportunity for a fair response. It is further argued that the committee's existence creates a "chilling effect" that deters educators from engaging with controversial topics. According to the petitioners, this activity is disproportionate, as even frivolous complaints lead to escalation, referrals to security agencies, and documentation within the ministry's systems.