An Israeli teacher protested the Gaza war. She's being accused of 'insulting' the government
Freedom of expression is shrinking, and Israel is increasingly resembling a grotesque dictatorship. The case of Yael Levkovitz is a warning sign
![Yael Levkovitz. "This time I was singled out, but it could happen to anyone."](https://img.haarets.co.il/bs/0000019b-55f2-df6b-a7db-f5f7907c0007/a5/dc/762316b94df8996fae5530b94095/yael.jpg?precrop=1134,1334,x413,y0&width=620&height=729&cmsprod "Yael Levkovitz. "This time I was singled out, but it could happen to anyone.". Credit: Tomer Appelbaum")
Yael Levkovitz. "This time I was singled out, but it could happen to anyone." Credit: Tomer Appelbaum
Freedom of expression is shrinking, and Israel is increasingly resembling a grotesque dictatorship. The case of Yael Levkovitz is a warning sign
10:36 AM • December 27 2025 IST
Tuesday, 8:30 A.M. three weeks ago. Yael Levkovitz, a math teacher at an elementary school in Tel Aviv, is on her way to the office of the director of the Education Ministry's Tel Aviv District. After arriving on the 10th floor of an office building in the central part of the city, she is asked to enter a conference room. On the bulletin board there someone has written a few of the goals described in the State Education Law: "To educate a person to love humanity, love his people and love his country." Other goals were also listed: Next to the words "To grant every boy and girl an equal opportunity" – someone had added a question mark.
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