Restoring Shared Values in Israeli Education

Israel’s state (mamlachti) education system—once a cornerstone of the Zionist vision and democratic nation-building—now faces a critical moment. In recent decades, it has steadily weakened compared to other education streams, not only due to budget disparities but also because of a deeper neglect of values-based education. As Israel approaches another round of elections, many educators and thought leaders warn that the future of this shared civic framework may depend on whether it becomes a national priority once again.

At the heart of the challenge is a long-standing retreat by liberal leadership from active engagement in shaping public education. While religious and ultra-Orthodox political actors have consistently invested in advancing their educational agendas—securing resources, influence, and institutional footholds—centrist and liberal parties have largely failed to do the same. The result is not only structural imbalance, but a growing gap in how identity, citizenship, and democratic values are taught to Israel’s youth.

This shift is especially evident in the diminishing focus on Jewish and democratic identity within the state system. Historically, Israeli public schools approached Jewish culture as an open, inclusive foundation for shared identity. Today, that space is often contested—caught between external ideological pressures and internal hesitation to engage meaningfully with questions of identity and values. Increasingly, meaningful exploration of civic and national identity is postponed or outsourced, rather than embedded at the heart of everyday education.

At Amal Educational Network, we see this moment as both a warning and a call to action. As one of Israel’s largest state education networks, Amal is uniquely positioned to help restore values-based education grounded in democracy, civic responsibility, and shared society. By bringing together educators, municipalities, civil society organizations, and international partners, Amal is building a broad platform to strengthen democratic education from within—across schools, colleges, and communities. The coming elections are a test of national priorities, but the work of rebuilding a vibrant, inclusive, and democratic educational foundation is already underway—and it is essential for Israel’s future.