According to the coalition agreement, MK Tzvi Hendel (National Union) will become Deputy Education Minister - an ironic twist, in that Hendel, a former NRP Knesset Member, will be the #2 man in the ministry so coveted by the NRP. "I very much hope that I will be able to help the other religious [hareidi] MKs in the Knesset in this position," he said, "in the event that they feel that their needs are being overlooked - even though I may not agree with them on everything..." He said that had Education Minister Limor Livnat not "given me a total green light, I wouldn't have taken this position. My purpose is to work..."
In answer to a question, Hendel said, "I will most definitely have a special connection with the public religious-Zionist schools, and with the Torah core groups [in development towns], and with Yesha - there are a million things. The Education Ministry is gigantic, larger than the Defense Ministry, especially now that it also includes the departments of culture and sport, and there is a lot of work to do - not only in religious schools, but also in instilling Jewish values in non-religious schools. There is so much work; I hope that G-d will grant me wisdom to do what is right in His eyes, and to reach the results that we all want."
In answer to a question, Hendel said, "I will most definitely have a special connection with the public religious-Zionist schools, and with the Torah core groups [in development towns], and with Yesha - there are a million things. The Education Ministry is gigantic, larger than the Defense Ministry, especially now that it also includes the departments of culture and sport, and there is a lot of work to do - not only in religious schools, but also in instilling Jewish values in non-religious schools. There is so much work; I hope that G-d will grant me wisdom to do what is right in His eyes, and to reach the results that we all want."