Israeli–Palestinian bereaved Families Forum banned from schools

Facing court and civil challenges to judicial overhaul, Israel's government attacks peace education.

The Parents Circle – Families Forum, a nonprofit organisation with both Palestinian and Israeli bereaved families – will no longer be allowed to operate activities in Israeli schools.

 The Education Ministry made the announcement following pressure from right-wing groups, who recently won a major victory in the government’s judicial overhaul.

The ministry announced it has removed the organisation from the list of approved external programs in schools after a hearing on the matter. TExternal programs manager Lilah Appleton said the Forum's goals "are in contradiction to the values of the Education Ministry."

The decisions means that advocates for peace and reconciliation such as Rami Elhanan and Bassam Aramin ,who recently spoke to more than 2600 people in Australia, will no longer be permitted to share their stories of pain, grief and hope in the Israeli school system.

Many Israelis are reeling from the passing of the first law in the Netanyahu coalition’s judicial overhaul last week, despite massive protests and polls showing most Israelis oppose the changes.

The President of the Supreme Court, Justice Esther Hayut, announced on Monday that the High Court will convene on September 12 to hear petitions on the law to abolish the reasonableness standard – a key part of the Netanyahu government’s plan to weaken the country’s judiciary. Hayut said that all 15 Supreme Court justices will take part in the discussions, an unprecedented action by the court.

Netanyahu has repeatedly refused to commit to abiding by a court ruling if it strikes down the reasonableness law.

When asked by NBC News in an interview that aired on Monday if he would abide by such a potential ruling, the Prime Minister did not answer directly.