What is an "elite"?
This is an age-old sociological question, which employs researchers all over the world who try to characterize how a permanent and lasting rule of a few over many is formed and what are the patterns in which it exists.
One possible answer is that an elite is nothing but a small group with a monopoly on a particular area of activity, in which it is allowed to act as it sees fit - but is not responsible for its own failures.
Her friends engage in various manipulations to explain that others are to blame for their failures.
This is the proper definition for the heads of public universities in Israel, who hold a monopoly on between 12 and 15 billion shekels of public money and are unionized in a closed club called the heads of universities (VRA). In Israel: shaping the life chances of the vast majority of the young population, for whom academic studies are a necessary condition for a professional career, economic security and social prestige.
The regular move of the presidents of the universities was to prevent for decades the opening of a new research university in Israel.
They led the opposition to the establishment of Reichman University, until the president of the Interdisciplinary Center had to threaten a petition to the High Court in order to be given the threshold conditions for the important move. Ariel University suffered a similar treatment. , By order of the Minister in charge.
The altar funds of university presidents were conservative and closed, until they managed to make Israel one of the most backward countries in the number of research universities in relation to population size.
This move established and glorified the monopoly of universities, and prevented the entry and integration of hundreds of thousands of students who could have developed their skills in research universities.
Today, after struggles led by public leaders, a first private university (Reichman) was opened and Ariel University received official recognition - even though the heads of the universities still oppose its existence, and do not accept its president to their club.
However, if those university heads had studied the history of the institution they run, it would have become clear to them that they exist solely thanks to the support of Mapai's politicians, who have stood firm in the face of the unbridled opposition of the Hebrew University. .
Prof. Ron Rubin, President of the University of Haifa, who publicly called for a revolt against an elected government in Israel a few months ago without any fear, today calls for embracing all groups in Israeli society. In practice, his intention is that Israeli society cannot allow the existence of Reichman University in Herzliya. The possibility of diversity, of the existence of research institutions that are detached from a one-dimensional and flightless copy of the model of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem - can not imagine. They are united in only one thing: the boycott of the president of Ariel University. Go now and present a cohesive national stance against BDS.
Let us not forget the University of the Galilee, where for 50 years the presidents of the universities and their emissaries have been doing everything in their power to prevent and thwart its establishment.
In doing so, they harmed the northern periphery of Israel and greatly reduced its chances of development - without bearing responsibility.
Just think what would have been the contribution of a research university in Safed if it had operated similarly to Ben-Gurion University in Be'er Sheva.
It is to be hoped that the Ciechanover Committee, which is currently examining the issue, will not adopt the proposal to establish an unparalleled hybrid creature in the world - "Research College" - that is, the Association of Colleges in the Galilee under the name "University".
The presidents of the universities pat each other on the back and persist in adopting a conservative and flightless approach, detached from the needs of the public in Israel.
A good academic year.
