The conflict in Givat Shmuel reaches a peak: serious accusations against the network
City council members sent a letter to the students' parents, backing the municipality's steps against the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva Center. These are the serious claims raised, and how the network is responding ahead of the start of the school year.
The acute crisis between the Givat Shmuel municipality and the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva Center is escalating, after city council members sent a joint and unequivocal letter of support for the municipality's steps and for Mayor Yossi Brodny. In the letter addressed to the parents of the city's high school yeshiva students, the council members clarified that their position was formed after analyzing data and working meetings, declaring:
"Our first and supreme duty is to the children of Givat Shmuel."
In their letter, the council members level sharp criticism at the network's conduct regarding parental payments, lack of transparency in budgets from the Ministry of Education, and poor investment in infrastructure. In addition, it is claimed that the network tried to promote real estate projects on the yeshiva's public land intended for residents. On the other hand, the Bnei Akiva network claims that the municipality unilaterally canceled the agreement and stopped budgets for renovations, with the head of the yeshiva, Rabbi Shraga Fruchter, warning of damage to preparations for the school year.
In the municipality, they argue in response that the network violated the agreement and carried out illegal actions, with the mayor having previously emphasized that this is a dispute over money and real estate. The yeshiva's parents' council has also already sided with the municipality and demanded to keep the complex for educational purposes only. The Bnei Akiva Yeshiva Center responded:
"On the 17th of Elul, August 30, we invite all members of the city council, from the coalition and the opposition, together with the mayor, to join us for the opening of another successful school year at the Bnei Akiva Givat Shmuel Yeshiva."
The public conflict over the yeshiva's operating agreement and the surrounding areas is reaching its peak just before the start of the school year. Now it remains to be seen whether the parties will manage to bridge the gaps for the benefit of the city's students.
