Israel's Christian schools are in a logjam with the Israeli government over funds, and have threatened to go on a strike at the start of academic year.
Some 48 Christian schools in Israel serve over 33,000 children, with about 60 percent Christian and 40 percent Muslim students. Many of the schools are run by the Roman Catholic Church, and many were operating before Israel was formed as a nation in 1948.
Until about two years ago, the schools were beneficiaries of state subsidies up to 65%, but the budget was cut down to 34 percent, which progressively made it harder for the school and parents to cover for the shortage of funds.
Over the last several years, the funding gap had been alleviated with charitable donations and tuitions, but the new rules reportedly put a limit on these sources.
The Israeli state offered complete funding only if the schools agree to become "official and recognized" as part of the state educational system, even as their "special" status as Christian schools will continue. However, the school leaders refuse this offer, saying that it will curb their autonomy as the buildings and staff will then come under state control.
"We have seen that the proposed sum [from the ministry] does not close the huge gap that years of cuts have created and does not stop the policies of discrimination that that we have endured for years," said a joint statement released by the school administrators.
Last year, the Christian schools initiated formal talks over the funding issue with the government, and want the government to resume 65 percent funding.
"Recently [the ministry has] even tightened the noose around our necks with regulations limiting the percentage of tuition we can charge," the statement continued. "This is a death strike that will prevent our schools from being able to work!"
The statement says that primary education will be most affected. As a recourse, the parents, students, and teachers plan to orchestrate public protests this week.
Director of schools for the Catholic church's Custody of the Holy Land, Father Abdelmassih Fahim, told AFP that their schools are "among the best in Israel."
President Reuven Rivlin said that he "welcomed the important work of these schools," after meeting with Education Minister Naftali Bennett and church leaders.
Fahim said that the new developments are "positive," but they are waiting for an announcement from the ministry, even as the recent meetings were unsuccessful in resolving the issue.
Head of Nazareth Baptist School, Botrus Mansour, told Christianity Today, "I can't judge on their intentions, but.. they brought us to a dead end. They did not see the need and the value of these schools, and the need to remedy the situation through equality."
The cost for funding Christian schools will be an additional $52 million per year.
State statistics reveal that Christian Arabs are among the top scorers in Israel's matriculation exams.
"We assure you that we have not done this lightly but only after a long study and careful thinking. We will not back off until we receive our full rights. We will also hold several protests that will accompany the strike," said the statement released by Christian schools.
