Teacher and Deputy Principal Assaulted by Student at Emek Hefer School
A teacher and deputy principal were assaulted by a student at the Vitkin school in Emek Hefer while breaking up a fight. The Israel Teachers Union announced a delayed start to classes in response.
A teacher and a deputy principal at the Vitkin school in Emek Hefer were attacked by a student on Wednesday after attempting to break up a violent altercation between two pupils. The educator was struck, scratched, and bitten, and the student also tried to pull her hair. Following the incident, the Israel Teachers Union announced that classes at the school would start at 10:00 AM on Thursday, with the exception of communication classes which will operate as usual.
The incident occurred as students returned to classes following the election holiday. During a dispute between two girls, a teacher intervened to separate them and prevent further violence. However, the student turned her aggression toward the teacher, threatening, striking, scratching, and biting her, while attempting to pull her hair.
The school's deputy principal, who was called to the scene to assist, was also attacked. Both educators attempted to contain the situation and prevent further harm until the student's mother arrived. The Teachers Union noted that this incident was preceded by two prior occurrences of physical violence by the same student.
Union Condemns Violence Against Educators
Michael Pinto, deputy secretary-general of the Teachers Union and head of the trade union division, condemned the incident, stating: "Educators who step in to protect students cannot become targets of violence themselves. For us, the red line is clear: we will not compromise on the safety of teaching staff and will not accept a reality where those who protect students pay with their bodies."
The case follows another violent incident that occurred a day before the elections at a school in Kfar Saba, where a student attacked a teacher and a deputy principal who attempted to de-escalate the situation. Aliza Medina, head of the Netanya and Sharon branch of the Teachers Union, emphasized: "This is a severe incident that the Teachers Union will not overlook. Schools are educational institutions, not arenas for violence."
