Heads of churches in Jerusalem are calling for authorities to respond to ‘modest and just demands’ by Christian schools for financial support. In a statement they said, ‘We are distressed that our schools in Israel have been on strike for more than two weeks. It hurts to see 33,000 students from all faiths and denominations out of their classrooms, while hundreds of teachers and employees are watching their schools empty. This situation is a grave inconvenience to the parents as their children remain at home, while education is a basic human right that no child should be denied. The struggle started almost two years ago, after serious budget cuts imposed on our schools caused a financial deficit. Negotiations between the Office of Christian Schools in Israel and the Ministry of Education failed; all solutions presented by the Ministry were unrealistic and would place further financial burdens on parents.’