Yael Odem: "I feel ignorant in many areas"

Yael Odem, education correspondent for Channel 12, was a guest on the "Five Fingers" podcast hosted by Amir Menachem, where she shared insights formed over the years alongside sharp criticism of the education system in Israel.

"There was a wedding this weekend for Adva Dadon and Yadin Gelman. It was amazing. This guy comes from a religious home, became secular, enlisted in Sayeret Matkal, spent 7 years in the unit, and went to study acting. It is a different world. You see the cultural baggage even in what he said under the chuppah," Odem said.

She continued: "You see the breadth of knowledge. Now, out of anti-sentiment — whether religious or secular — I feel ignorant in many places. We looked down on the state system, and we still do. Math, English, and physics are not everything. You must have values; teachers today bring this, but not everyone recognizes it."

Later in her remarks, Odem addressed the knowledge gaps of young people regarding central state and civil issues, arguing that despite their high motivation to contribute to the country, many lack proficiency in basic topics.

"They finish 12th grade and go to pre-military academies and a year of service, which is the most valued thing in the world. They enlist, forgive me for saying this, they are ready to die for the country, to sacrifice themselves. In the end, when you ask them essential questions: 'What do you know?', 'What is the tension between the Declaration of Independence regarding the Jewish and democratic nature of the state?', 'Where is Judea and Samaria?', 'What is the connection between Trump and the UAE?' — they don't know these things."