Teacher Yisrael Shiran has sued the Education Ministry and its former Director-General, Shlomit Amichai, for suspending him last November. It will be recalled that Shiran wrote a letter to the country\'s teachers shortly before the anniversary of Yitzchak Rabin\'s death, asking them not to teach the slain Prime Minister\'s political legacy on that day. Condemning the assassination, the letter stated that as Rabin\'s peace policies had failed, they should not be taught in Israel\'s public schools - and that the memorial day should be commemorated independently of Rabin\'s political legacy.
As a result of the letter, Amichai suspended Shiran and banned him from entering any public school. Within a few days, Shiran turned to the Supreme Court - but before the Court had a chance to hear the suit, Amichai revoked the suspension.
Shiran\'s suit, submitted by Atty. Nitzana Darshan-Leitner, claims that the suspension was illegal, unauthorized, and instigated only by Amichai\'s disagreement with Shiran\'s political views. Shiran maintains that his reputation was permanently besmirched both by the suspension and by things Amichai and other Education Ministry officials said about him in the media. They called him a delinquent, said that he incited others to violate the law, and even accused him of threatening Amichai over the phone.
Shiran demands 250,000 shekels in damages and a letter of apology from the Education Ministry to be sent to all its teachers. Amichai was fired from her position when Limor Livnat assumed the position of Education Minister last month.
As a result of the letter, Amichai suspended Shiran and banned him from entering any public school. Within a few days, Shiran turned to the Supreme Court - but before the Court had a chance to hear the suit, Amichai revoked the suspension.
Shiran\'s suit, submitted by Atty. Nitzana Darshan-Leitner, claims that the suspension was illegal, unauthorized, and instigated only by Amichai\'s disagreement with Shiran\'s political views. Shiran maintains that his reputation was permanently besmirched both by the suspension and by things Amichai and other Education Ministry officials said about him in the media. They called him a delinquent, said that he incited others to violate the law, and even accused him of threatening Amichai over the phone.
Shiran demands 250,000 shekels in damages and a letter of apology from the Education Ministry to be sent to all its teachers. Amichai was fired from her position when Limor Livnat assumed the position of Education Minister last month.