Accused in the murder case of Yamanu Zelka to return to schools: "Why should my son be afraid?"
Two days before September 1st, parents of students at a school in Petah Tikva discovered that a teenager accused in the murder case of Yamanu Zelka, who is entering 10th grade, is expected to return to the educational institution. "We will not put our children at risk," says a father of a student whose son is entering the same grade. The municipality and the Ministry of Education are looking for an alternative framework, parents are worried: "I don't want him sitting next to my son."
"We will not send them to school": Parents of students expected to start the school year at a well-known high school in Petah Tikva are threatening to boycott classes. The reason is the news that one of the accused in the murder case of Yamanu Zelka (of blessed memory) is expected to return to the institution. The tragedy occurred on the eve of Independence Day, when Yamanu was brutally attacked after telling a group of teenagers spraying graffiti to stop. Another teenager accused in the brawl that led to the murder is expected to study at another school in the city.
Parents learned about the student's reintegration into the local education system through a post on a memorial page for Zelka. The post demanded that the school principal take responsibility: "Hundreds of parents demand to know: Will the accused in the murder case of Yamanu Zelka return to study at your school? The parents and students are entitled to an answer, now!".
Parents have already contacted Mayor Rami Greenberg, stating they will not send their children to school on September 1st. According to them, he explained that once the court released the teenager, he could not prevent him from entering the education system. However, some parents claimed that Greenberg expressed a desire to handle the issue and assured them that the teenager would not arrive at school in the first few days anyway.
Aner Daskalo, whose son is entering 10th grade, is leading a movement to prevent the teenager's entry into the school: "We are not ready for this, both from an ethical and a moral point of view. It is a person involved in a murder, and it is morally inappropriate to integrate him into a society of normative children." A meeting of the school parents' committee is scheduled for this evening, where parents plan to demand clear answers.
The Petah Tikva municipality acknowledges the complexity of the situation, emphasizing that the decision is not under their unilateral control. A senior municipal official stated: "The student has not yet been convicted, the presumption of innocence stands, and there is a legal obligation to provide him with an educational framework. We are working with the Ministry of Education to find an alternative solution that ensures student safety while complying with the law."
Parents remain firm. "Why should my son have to walk to school in fear?" asked one mother. "We are not against rehabilitation, but one must know how to place such a child in a suitable environment, not a regular class." Another mother added: "I will not send my son to school if this child is there. There are specialized frameworks for such cases, and they should be used."
The Ministry of Education stated: "This is a complex and sensitive case. After authorized bodies determined the need to return the student to the education system, the ministry is obligated to ensure an educational framework for every student. The placement will be accompanied by professional support and coordination with local authorities. For reasons of privacy regarding minors, we cannot comment further on the details."
