In a rapid and unexpected shift, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has lifted the restrictions previously imposed by the Home Front Command in light of a serious missile and drone threat from Iran. This decision, made overnight, caught the educational sector off guard, particularly impacting kindergartens, day camps, and youth events which had been slated to stay shut until Monday night.
The military had earlier committed to maintaining these strict measures until 11 p.m. Monday, as a response to potential aggression. Yet, the IDF now states that these restrictions can be quickly reimposed if the threat level increases again.
The IDF Homefront Command has announced that the Restrictions and Guidelines that were put in place yesterday at 11:00pm in Anticipation for the Large-Scale Iranian Attack against Israel, will remain in place until at least Monday at 11:00pm. pic.twitter.com/Q61aGpi40i
— Kandonga (@Kandonga14) April 14, 2024
This reversal has led to a scramble within educational institutions to restart operations. A kindergarten teacher, in a message to parents that was posted by the Walla news service, conveyed the chaos and urgency of the situation: "I woke up to this whole mess this morning and am now trying to figure out how we can open the kindergarten on such short notice."
Although most schools are on a break in anticipation of the Passover holiday, the lifting of restrictions also impacts other educational settings like daycares, universities, and school trips. Additionally, the IDF Home Front Command's new guidelines allow for the resumption of public events with over 1,000 attendees, enabling sports events and concerts to go ahead as planned.
New Homefront Command guidelines allow school in all areas paused before the Iranian response and lifts restrictions on gatherings.
— BREAKING NEWS - ALERTS (@IsraelNews23) April 14, 2024
However, restrictions will remain in place near Israel's northern and southern borders, the areas most affected by ongoing hostilities, particularly since the Hamas incursion on October 7. Over 100,000 people are still displaced from their homes due to incessant rocket fire on northern communities in Israel from Lebanon.
Following the Iranian attack last Saturday, the IDF observed a cautious 24-hour period to ensure no further provocations from Tehran's Shiite proxies, a period that was critical in deciding to lift these restrictions, as Kan public broadcaster reported.
The Education Ministry has noted the logistical challenges of this abrupt resumption, stating that while day camps in schools can reopen from 9 a.m., a full-scale return to activities will be gradual. The reopening includes special education programs that had also been paused.
BREAKING: Israel’s Homefront Command says no educational activities (most schools have officially begun a two week Passover break) and gatherings should be limited to 1000 across the country in case of a possible attack from Iran. pic.twitter.com/Z0VQdqiTL0
— Daniel Cohen (@DanielCohenTV) April 13, 2024
Ynet news reports that the changes impact approximately 765,000 children from kindergarten through third grade who are enrolled in day camps. Despite the overall easing, cities like Holon, Bat Yam, Haifa, and Beersheba have chosen to keep their educational systems closed for the moment due to readiness issues.
Community centers and informal educational activities are expected to return to normal by Monday afternoon, but some delays in meal provisions for aftercare and camp programs have led some cities to postpone this service until Tuesday.
In the ultra-Orthodox community, activities for grades 4-8 resumed on Sunday, following U.S. government actions, which had already normalized embassy operations in the region. This decision was supported by prominent Rabbis Dov Lando and Moshe Hillel Hirsch, despite previous orders from the Home Front Command.
Education Ministry: Schools in Israel will open at 10 am on Mondayhttps://t.co/CszUVrG8Pz
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) April 15, 2024
This sequence of events unfolds against a backdrop of rising tensions with Iran, following a recent attack involving hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones. This assault, a retaliation for the alleged Israeli killing of key figures from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has exacerbated the ongoing conflict in southern Israel, a situation that started with a significant cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, significantly impacting regional stability and security.
