Social Policies
#25Key Findings
With significant concerns over equity, Israel falls into the lower-middle ranks (rank 25) with respect to social policies. Its score in this area has improved by 0.1 point relative to 2014.
Absolute education spending has increased substantially over the last decade, but population growth means that per pupil spending has been stable. Schools for the Arabic-speaking community receive less funding, with these gaps reflected in outcomes. Defense needs had led to the creation of distance learning plans that made adaptation to lockdowns easier than in some other countries.
Organizational shortcomings in the healthcare system meant that the military handled functions such as tracking the spread of COVID-19, and also established quarantine centers. Poverty rates are relatively high, and overall social-spending levels low. Poverty among independent workers increased by almost 20% during the pandemic.
Women disproportionately lost jobs during the pandemic, and about 7% of working mothers did not return to the workforce. Free preschool classes are available for three- and four-year-olds. Integration efforts are primarily directed toward ethnic-Jewish immigrants. Violent crime rates are disproportionately high in Arabic neighborhoods.
Absolute education spending has increased substantially over the last decade, but population growth means that per pupil spending has been stable. Schools for the Arabic-speaking community receive less funding, with these gaps reflected in outcomes. Defense needs had led to the creation of distance learning plans that made adaptation to lockdowns easier than in some other countries.
Organizational shortcomings in the healthcare system meant that the military handled functions such as tracking the spread of COVID-19, and also established quarantine centers. Poverty rates are relatively high, and overall social-spending levels low. Poverty among independent workers increased by almost 20% during the pandemic.
Women disproportionately lost jobs during the pandemic, and about 7% of working mothers did not return to the workforce. Free preschool classes are available for three- and four-year-olds. Integration efforts are primarily directed toward ethnic-Jewish immigrants. Violent crime rates are disproportionately high in Arabic neighborhoods.
Graph View
Graph View
To what extent does education policy deliver high-quality, equitable and efficient education and training?
10
9
9
Education policy fully achieves the criteria.
8
7
6
7
6
Education policy largely achieves the criteria.
5
4
3
4
3
Education policy partially achieves the criteria.
2
1
1
Education policy does not achieve the criteria at all.
Over the last decade (2010–2020), Israel’s education spending has increased by 25%, substantially more than the OECD average of 9% increment. However, due to population growth, spending per pupil remained stable. Teachers’ salaries have increased significantly in recent years and are now well above the national average salary. A possible reason for the salary increases is the rise in tertiary and quaternary education among teachers. This has led to some improvement in two major shortcomings in the education system: the relatively high number of pupils per teacher and the relatively low skill levels of teachers (Bllas 2020).
The allocation of resources inside the educational system depends on national/religious divisions within it. There are four school streams: three for the Hebrew-speaking community (secular, religious and ultra-Orthodox Jews), and one for the Arabic-speaking community. Most ultra-Orthodox schools do not include the basic curricula elements required by the Ministry of Education due to religious objection and, therefore, receive only 8.8% of the budget, significantly less than their pupil share (18%). While the budget of the Arab school system has increased significantly in recent years, lower-class Jewish pupils are still budgeted almost twice as much as Arabic pupils. These gaps affect the opportunities of these sectors and their achievements (as reflected in PISA tests results), as well as their potential to deal with crises and their financial strength (Dvir 2020).
The gaps mentioned above directly influence the ability of the weaker sectors to handle extreme situations. Defense needs in Israel required the government to create a plan for distance learning. When the coronavirus reached Israel, the educational system was somewhat prepared. For example, the foundation of home learning already existed, while systems and licenses for relevant software were acquired and used by students and teachers (Ministry of Education 2020). Despite these efforts, moving toward distance learning was not smooth. Some emergency protocols for rockets attack were relevant, but did not match perfectly to the pandemic. For example, pupils without access to a computer were supposed to team with their neighbors for mutual learning, which was impossible under social distance requirements.
To allow for the continuation of schooling during the pandemic, the education system moved to online teaching. While this allowed pupils to continue studying during the pandemic, it also exacerbated inequality among publics. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2019, about 24% of households with children in Israel did not have access to the internet and 16% did not have a personal computer at home. About 78% of all Jewish households have an internet connection, but 51% of Arab households do not. Among Jews, the lack of internet connection is highest among the ultra-Orthodox community (Ilan 2020).
In response to these gaps, the Ministry of Education purchased 150,000 computers and provided internet connections (Kadri-Ovadia 2021). Although the government took measures to support those in need, criticism about the situation was still plentiful because learning via online platforms required a large amount of involvement by parents, who were not always available to help with online studying (Odem 2020).
Because of the social distancing policy, pre-primary schools were fully closed for an average of 64 days between 1 January 2020 and 20 May 2021. Meanwhile, primary schools were closed for 80 days, lower secondary for 139 days and upper secondary general schools for 112 days. In comparison, the respective closures were 55, 78, 92 and 101 days on average across the OECD (OECD 2021). The latest developments, in addition to former gaps in the system, created a massive challenge and increased the differences between the educational sectors.
Efforts to maintain a routine are necessary because there is a direct connection between graduating secondary and upper education, and a skilled labor force. The Central Bureau of Statistics indicates that only 69.7% of all pupils graduated from secondary education in 2019. According to statistics published by the Education Ministry, the high-school graduation rate in the 2019–2020 school year stood at 73.4%, despite the challenges faced by the education system.
Citations:
Bllas, Nachum, 2021, “The Education System: An Overview,” Taub Center, https://www.taubcenter.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Education-Overview-ENG-2021.pdf
OECD (2021), Education at a Glance 2021: OECD Indicators, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://dx.doi.org/10.1787/69096873-en.
Central Bureau of Statistics. 2019. The face of Israeli society – gaps between the center and the periphery. Jerusalem: Central Bureau of Statistics.
Dvir, Noam. 2020. Eligibility for matriculation: Who leads and who is at the bottom? Retrieved from Israel Today: https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/794271
HFC. 2020. Procedures and guidelines for conducting and distance learning in an emergency. Retrieved from HFC: https://meyda.education.gov.il/files/lmida_herum/nohal_cherum_zman_emet_01012020.pdf
Ilan, Shahar. 2020. A third of parents do not have enough computers for distance learning. Retrieved from Calcalist: https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3851113,00.html
Ministry of Education. 2020. Detailed circular on matriculation in the Corona outline. September: Ministry of Education, State of Israel. Retrieved from https://meyda.education.gov.il/files/Bitachon/exams_outline_2021.pdf
State Comptroller. 2020. A special interim report on the State of Israel’s dealing with the corona crisis. Jerusalem: Israel.
The Knesset. 2020. Availability of end means and internet connection for children For distance learning. Jerusalem: The Knesset.
The Knesset. 2020. Emergency distance learning while closing educational institutions Following the outbreak of the coronavirus. Retrieved from Knesset Information and Research Center: https://fs.knesset.gov.il/globaldocs/MMM/6c81656c-de69-ea11-8113-00155d0af32a/2_6c81656c-de69-ea11-8113-00155d0af32a_11_13773.pdf
The Knesset. 2020. Preparing for the start of the next school year (2021/2020) during the Corona epidemic In Israel and in selected countries. Jerusalem: The Knesset.
Davar. 2020. Tightening the lockdown: Schools and gardens closed, no flight allowed, Retrieved from https://www.davar1.co.il/273300/
Kadri-Ovadia, Shira. 2020. ‘Need to be more focused and interesting’: Schools are trying to get used to distance learning, Haaretz, Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.co.il/health/corona/.premium-1.8678786
Kadri-Ovadia, Shira. 2021 ” The Ministry of Education distributed 125,000 computers to students who do not have a computer in their home.” Haaretz, Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/education/.premium-1.9444439
Odem, Yahel. 2020. Distance learning will be reduced, school days will be returned during the great freedom, Mako, Retrieved from https://www.mako.co.il/news-education/2020_q2/Article-358aaabc32f8171026.htm
Shahar, Ilan. 2020. Knesset Research Center: “Distance Learning May Increase Dropout of At-Risk Students,” Calcalist, Retrieved from https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3807625,00.html
The allocation of resources inside the educational system depends on national/religious divisions within it. There are four school streams: three for the Hebrew-speaking community (secular, religious and ultra-Orthodox Jews), and one for the Arabic-speaking community. Most ultra-Orthodox schools do not include the basic curricula elements required by the Ministry of Education due to religious objection and, therefore, receive only 8.8% of the budget, significantly less than their pupil share (18%). While the budget of the Arab school system has increased significantly in recent years, lower-class Jewish pupils are still budgeted almost twice as much as Arabic pupils. These gaps affect the opportunities of these sectors and their achievements (as reflected in PISA tests results), as well as their potential to deal with crises and their financial strength (Dvir 2020).
The gaps mentioned above directly influence the ability of the weaker sectors to handle extreme situations. Defense needs in Israel required the government to create a plan for distance learning. When the coronavirus reached Israel, the educational system was somewhat prepared. For example, the foundation of home learning already existed, while systems and licenses for relevant software were acquired and used by students and teachers (Ministry of Education 2020). Despite these efforts, moving toward distance learning was not smooth. Some emergency protocols for rockets attack were relevant, but did not match perfectly to the pandemic. For example, pupils without access to a computer were supposed to team with their neighbors for mutual learning, which was impossible under social distance requirements.
To allow for the continuation of schooling during the pandemic, the education system moved to online teaching. While this allowed pupils to continue studying during the pandemic, it also exacerbated inequality among publics. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, in 2019, about 24% of households with children in Israel did not have access to the internet and 16% did not have a personal computer at home. About 78% of all Jewish households have an internet connection, but 51% of Arab households do not. Among Jews, the lack of internet connection is highest among the ultra-Orthodox community (Ilan 2020).
In response to these gaps, the Ministry of Education purchased 150,000 computers and provided internet connections (Kadri-Ovadia 2021). Although the government took measures to support those in need, criticism about the situation was still plentiful because learning via online platforms required a large amount of involvement by parents, who were not always available to help with online studying (Odem 2020).
Because of the social distancing policy, pre-primary schools were fully closed for an average of 64 days between 1 January 2020 and 20 May 2021. Meanwhile, primary schools were closed for 80 days, lower secondary for 139 days and upper secondary general schools for 112 days. In comparison, the respective closures were 55, 78, 92 and 101 days on average across the OECD (OECD 2021). The latest developments, in addition to former gaps in the system, created a massive challenge and increased the differences between the educational sectors.
Efforts to maintain a routine are necessary because there is a direct connection between graduating secondary and upper education, and a skilled labor force. The Central Bureau of Statistics indicates that only 69.7% of all pupils graduated from secondary education in 2019. According to statistics published by the Education Ministry, the high-school graduation rate in the 2019–2020 school year stood at 73.4%, despite the challenges faced by the education system.
Citations:
Bllas, Nachum, 2021, “The Education System: An Overview,” Taub Center, https://www.taubcenter.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Education-Overview-ENG-2021.pdf
OECD (2021), Education at a Glance 2021: OECD Indicators, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://dx.doi.org/10.1787/69096873-en.
Central Bureau of Statistics. 2019. The face of Israeli society – gaps between the center and the periphery. Jerusalem: Central Bureau of Statistics.
Dvir, Noam. 2020. Eligibility for matriculation: Who leads and who is at the bottom? Retrieved from Israel Today: https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/794271
HFC. 2020. Procedures and guidelines for conducting and distance learning in an emergency. Retrieved from HFC: https://meyda.education.gov.il/files/lmida_herum/nohal_cherum_zman_emet_01012020.pdf
Ilan, Shahar. 2020. A third of parents do not have enough computers for distance learning. Retrieved from Calcalist: https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3851113,00.html
Ministry of Education. 2020. Detailed circular on matriculation in the Corona outline. September: Ministry of Education, State of Israel. Retrieved from https://meyda.education.gov.il/files/Bitachon/exams_outline_2021.pdf
State Comptroller. 2020. A special interim report on the State of Israel’s dealing with the corona crisis. Jerusalem: Israel.
The Knesset. 2020. Availability of end means and internet connection for children For distance learning. Jerusalem: The Knesset.
The Knesset. 2020. Emergency distance learning while closing educational institutions Following the outbreak of the coronavirus. Retrieved from Knesset Information and Research Center: https://fs.knesset.gov.il/globaldocs/MMM/6c81656c-de69-ea11-8113-00155d0af32a/2_6c81656c-de69-ea11-8113-00155d0af32a_11_13773.pdf
The Knesset. 2020. Preparing for the start of the next school year (2021/2020) during the Corona epidemic In Israel and in selected countries. Jerusalem: The Knesset.
Davar. 2020. Tightening the lockdown: Schools and gardens closed, no flight allowed, Retrieved from https://www.davar1.co.il/273300/
Kadri-Ovadia, Shira. 2020. ‘Need to be more focused and interesting’: Schools are trying to get used to distance learning, Haaretz, Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.co.il/health/corona/.premium-1.8678786
Kadri-Ovadia, Shira. 2021 ” The Ministry of Education distributed 125,000 computers to students who do not have a computer in their home.” Haaretz, Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/education/.premium-1.9444439
Odem, Yahel. 2020. Distance learning will be reduced, school days will be returned during the great freedom, Mako, Retrieved from https://www.mako.co.il/news-education/2020_q2/Article-358aaabc32f8171026.htm
Shahar, Ilan. 2020. Knesset Research Center: “Distance Learning May Increase Dropout of At-Risk Students,” Calcalist, Retrieved from https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3807625,00.html
Graph View
To what extent does social policy prevent exclusion and decoupling from society?
10
9
9
Policies very effectively enable societal inclusion and ensure equal opportunities.
8
7
6
7
6
For the most part, policies enable societal inclusion effectively and ensure equal opportunities.
5
4
3
4
3
For the most part, policies fail to prevent societal exclusion effectively and ensure equal opportunities.
2
1
1
Policies exacerbate unequal opportunities and exclusion from society.
Israel still faces high inequality relative to other OECD countries. As of 2020, Israel ranked 10 out of 35 OECD countries on the basis of inequality as measured by the Gini coefficient. It also has the second-highest relative-income poverty rate within the OECD (16.9%). Additionally, Israel still has one of the lowest rates of spending on social issues among the OECD countries (16.1% of GDP compared to an OECD average of 21%, 2018).
The poverty rate among independent workers, mostly young workers, has increased almost 20% since the pandemic restrictions were introduced (Endebald et al., 2020). COVID-19 has also affected single-parent and low-income families, as the closure of schools and preschools led many parents to take unpaid leave in order to care for children (Toronto Foundation 2020), and parents had to meet the extra expenses to assist their children with online learning. This has affected their ability to purchase food and home supplies, increasing demand for economic support and food aid (Issac et al. 2020). Unfortunately, there is no specific government plan in place in Israel to address these additional needs and concerns (Kol Zchut 2020). The pandemic also affected those who are chronically ill or those who suffer from compromised immune systems, for whom there has been a lack of clear and sufficient guidelines. It was estimated that hundreds of thousands of workers refrained from returning to work (Beit Or 2020).
When examining the migrant community in Israel, we should look at migrants, refugees and foreign workers. According to the Israeli parliament, these groups are considered vulnerable populations, lacking money and accesses to health services and insurance. Israel has extended and renewed visas to foreign workers during the pandemic and provides crucial information regarding COVID-19 to foreign populations in their native language. However, it seems that Israel has not created a guarantee of income for foreigners, in contrast to other states in which foreigners have received economic funding from the government during the outbreak (Cohen 2020).
Citations:
Endebald,Miri, Oren Heller & Lahav Karadi. 2020. “Estimate of the impact of the Corona crisis on the socioeconomic situation,” Israel’s Social Security Institute, Retrieved from https://www.btl.gov.il/benefits/Unemployment/covid19_avt/Pages/default.aspx
Isaac, Irit, Dana Brander, Zohar Sharvit, Shaked Lubezki-Geta, Amelia Kaepernov & Dori Rivkin. 2020. “Dealing with the effects of the Corona crisis on people living in poverty” Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, Retrieved from https://brookdale.jdc.org.il/publication/corona-and-poverty/
Kol Zchut, 2020. “Which grants are eligible during Covid-19?,” Retrieved from https://blog.kolzchut.org.il/?p=2643
Toronto Foundation. 2020. ” Grant for assistance to single-parent families who cannot work – during the Corona crisis,” Retrieved from https://ff-yt.org/%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%A2%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%A0%D7%A7-%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%95%D7%A2-%D7%9C%D7%97%D7%93-%D7%94%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%A9%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%9F-%D7%99%D7%9B/
Yasur Beit Or, Meital, 2020, ” ‘The Corona routine’: The chronic patients were left behind,” Israel Hayom, Retrieved from https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/758007
Yechimovich Cohen, Nurit. 2020. “Coping with the spread of a virus The Corona among foreign populations: a comparative view” Knesset Research Center, Retrieved from https://m.knesset.gov.il/activity/info/mmm/pages/document.aspx?docid=df7212b4-d182-ea11-8113-00155d0af32a&businesstype=1
The poverty rate among independent workers, mostly young workers, has increased almost 20% since the pandemic restrictions were introduced (Endebald et al., 2020). COVID-19 has also affected single-parent and low-income families, as the closure of schools and preschools led many parents to take unpaid leave in order to care for children (Toronto Foundation 2020), and parents had to meet the extra expenses to assist their children with online learning. This has affected their ability to purchase food and home supplies, increasing demand for economic support and food aid (Issac et al. 2020). Unfortunately, there is no specific government plan in place in Israel to address these additional needs and concerns (Kol Zchut 2020). The pandemic also affected those who are chronically ill or those who suffer from compromised immune systems, for whom there has been a lack of clear and sufficient guidelines. It was estimated that hundreds of thousands of workers refrained from returning to work (Beit Or 2020).
When examining the migrant community in Israel, we should look at migrants, refugees and foreign workers. According to the Israeli parliament, these groups are considered vulnerable populations, lacking money and accesses to health services and insurance. Israel has extended and renewed visas to foreign workers during the pandemic and provides crucial information regarding COVID-19 to foreign populations in their native language. However, it seems that Israel has not created a guarantee of income for foreigners, in contrast to other states in which foreigners have received economic funding from the government during the outbreak (Cohen 2020).
Citations:
Endebald,Miri, Oren Heller & Lahav Karadi. 2020. “Estimate of the impact of the Corona crisis on the socioeconomic situation,” Israel’s Social Security Institute, Retrieved from https://www.btl.gov.il/benefits/Unemployment/covid19_avt/Pages/default.aspx
Isaac, Irit, Dana Brander, Zohar Sharvit, Shaked Lubezki-Geta, Amelia Kaepernov & Dori Rivkin. 2020. “Dealing with the effects of the Corona crisis on people living in poverty” Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, Retrieved from https://brookdale.jdc.org.il/publication/corona-and-poverty/
Kol Zchut, 2020. “Which grants are eligible during Covid-19?,” Retrieved from https://blog.kolzchut.org.il/?p=2643
Toronto Foundation. 2020. ” Grant for assistance to single-parent families who cannot work – during the Corona crisis,” Retrieved from https://ff-yt.org/%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%A2%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%A0%D7%A7-%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%95%D7%A2-%D7%9C%D7%97%D7%93-%D7%94%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%A9%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%9F-%D7%99%D7%9B/
Yasur Beit Or, Meital, 2020, ” ‘The Corona routine’: The chronic patients were left behind,” Israel Hayom, Retrieved from https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/758007
Yechimovich Cohen, Nurit. 2020. “Coping with the spread of a virus The Corona among foreign populations: a comparative view” Knesset Research Center, Retrieved from https://m.knesset.gov.il/activity/info/mmm/pages/document.aspx?docid=df7212b4-d182-ea11-8113-00155d0af32a&businesstype=1
Graph View
To what extent do health care policies provide high-quality, inclusive and cost-efficient health care?
10
9
9
Health care policy achieves the criteria fully.
8
7
6
7
6
Health care policy achieves the criteria largely.
5
4
3
4
3
Health care policy achieves the criteria partly.
2
1
1
Health care policy does not achieve the criteria at all.
Generally, the healthcare system in Israel is characterized by a publicly funded universal provision of services. At the same time, there remain significant gaps in between the quality of health services in the center and the periphery, and household out-of-pocket healthcare spending is relatively high due to partial privatization.
All residents in the country are eligible for medical insurance, which covers primary and secondary care, hospital services, and highly subsidized medications and medical technologies. A further layer of medical insurance is available for additional payments to one of the four non-commercial HMOS (health management organizations) that provide medical services in Israel.
The Israeli healthcare system’s ability to cope, adapt and respond to COVID-19 and any other big-scale pandemic came under scrutiny during the initial COVID-19 outbreak. According to the State Comptroller (2020), Israel lacked a proper supply of medicines, vaccines and hospitalization solutions (e.g., hospital beds, vacancy in emergency rooms and ventilators), and stated that Israel was not prepared to handle large-scale outbreaks.
The State Comptroller also mentioned that the Ministry of Health (MOH) lacked an efficient system to monitor and track the spread of the coronavirus, and faced issues with the documentation of the epidemiological examinations (State Comptroller 2020; Druckman 2020). To fill this void, the Israeli military became highly involved in managing and executing policies, such as tracking the spread of the virus, throughout the crisis (Zeitun 2020).
To meet the growing need for facilities to treat COVID-19 patients, most hospitals opened designated coronavirus wards that take care of critically ill patients. Other designated facilities included so-called COVID-19 hotels, which were used to accommodate people in isolation and were overseen by the Israeli military (Clalit 2020). The government also formed a specialized unit dedicated to protecting elderly citizens in nursing homes (Ministry of Health 2020).
During the outbreak, Israel decided that all medical services related to COVID-19 would be provided free to illegal foreigners, despite most not having medical insurance. Other services such as housing, and places for isolation and treatment were offered by various local authorities to low-income migrants.
In terms of medical staff, in April 2020, the MOH called for an increase in the number of doctors in hospitals that handle COVID-19 patients by roughly 300. By August 2020, only 156 out of these 300 positions had been filled (Knesset 2020). The government allocated about ILS 14.5 billion (approximately 3% of the yearly budget) to handling the health-related costs of the pandemic, including the costs of additional ventilators and protective gear for the medical staff, and the procurement of medicine and ambulatory services.
Although the government allocated funds to combat the spread of the disease, a gap persists in investment in health services between the different regions of the country. This influences the medical treatment given to infected patients. On some occasions, patients were transferred from hospitals in the periphery to hospitals in the center of the country due to the inability of peripheral hospitals to appropriately treat patients with COVID-19 (Ron 2020).
Citations:
Ministry of Finance, 2021. “2021-2022 state budget and economical plan pass first reading in Knesset plenum” Retrieved from: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/press_02092021_c
Ashkenazi, Shani. 2020. “26% of the country’s Corona budget went to ventilators, which are hardly required now,” Globes, Retrieved from https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001345964
Blank, Roni. 2020. “Addition of physician standards due to the Corona crisis – preliminary information” Knesset Research Center, Retrieved from https://main.knesset.gov.il/Activity/Info/MMM/Pages/document.aspx?docId=4646c8d4-2fc0-ea11-8107-00155d0aee38&businessType=1
Druckman, Yaron. 2020. “State Comptroller: The array of epidemiological investigations was not conducted effectively, days until test results were obtained,” Retrieved from https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/rJzlPx4uD
Ministry of Health. 2020. Ministry of Health: During the Months of July and August, 53 Coronavirus Deaths were not Reported as part of Project Magen Avot VeImahot, Retrieved from https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/19082020_02
Ron, Yael. 2020. The Corona exposes the gaps in Israeli society, Globes, Retrieved from https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001346402
The State Comptroller. 2020. “A special report on The Health System way of handling erupting and renewable diseases,” Retrieved from https://www.mevaker.gov.il/sites/DigitalLibrary/Documents/2020/70a/200-health.pdf?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Yaron, Shlomit & Alon Laufer. 2020. “Hospitalization at home and hotel for verified Corona patients,” Clalit, Retrieved from https://www.clalit.co.il/he/info/services/Pages/inpatient_care_corona.aspx
Zeitun, Yoav. 2020. “IDF: 300 soldiers will be recruited for epidemiological investigations; Fighters will leave every 21 days,” Calcalist, Retrieved from https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3837954,00.html
All residents in the country are eligible for medical insurance, which covers primary and secondary care, hospital services, and highly subsidized medications and medical technologies. A further layer of medical insurance is available for additional payments to one of the four non-commercial HMOS (health management organizations) that provide medical services in Israel.
The Israeli healthcare system’s ability to cope, adapt and respond to COVID-19 and any other big-scale pandemic came under scrutiny during the initial COVID-19 outbreak. According to the State Comptroller (2020), Israel lacked a proper supply of medicines, vaccines and hospitalization solutions (e.g., hospital beds, vacancy in emergency rooms and ventilators), and stated that Israel was not prepared to handle large-scale outbreaks.
The State Comptroller also mentioned that the Ministry of Health (MOH) lacked an efficient system to monitor and track the spread of the coronavirus, and faced issues with the documentation of the epidemiological examinations (State Comptroller 2020; Druckman 2020). To fill this void, the Israeli military became highly involved in managing and executing policies, such as tracking the spread of the virus, throughout the crisis (Zeitun 2020).
To meet the growing need for facilities to treat COVID-19 patients, most hospitals opened designated coronavirus wards that take care of critically ill patients. Other designated facilities included so-called COVID-19 hotels, which were used to accommodate people in isolation and were overseen by the Israeli military (Clalit 2020). The government also formed a specialized unit dedicated to protecting elderly citizens in nursing homes (Ministry of Health 2020).
During the outbreak, Israel decided that all medical services related to COVID-19 would be provided free to illegal foreigners, despite most not having medical insurance. Other services such as housing, and places for isolation and treatment were offered by various local authorities to low-income migrants.
In terms of medical staff, in April 2020, the MOH called for an increase in the number of doctors in hospitals that handle COVID-19 patients by roughly 300. By August 2020, only 156 out of these 300 positions had been filled (Knesset 2020). The government allocated about ILS 14.5 billion (approximately 3% of the yearly budget) to handling the health-related costs of the pandemic, including the costs of additional ventilators and protective gear for the medical staff, and the procurement of medicine and ambulatory services.
Although the government allocated funds to combat the spread of the disease, a gap persists in investment in health services between the different regions of the country. This influences the medical treatment given to infected patients. On some occasions, patients were transferred from hospitals in the periphery to hospitals in the center of the country due to the inability of peripheral hospitals to appropriately treat patients with COVID-19 (Ron 2020).
Citations:
Ministry of Finance, 2021. “2021-2022 state budget and economical plan pass first reading in Knesset plenum” Retrieved from: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/press_02092021_c
Ashkenazi, Shani. 2020. “26% of the country’s Corona budget went to ventilators, which are hardly required now,” Globes, Retrieved from https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001345964
Blank, Roni. 2020. “Addition of physician standards due to the Corona crisis – preliminary information” Knesset Research Center, Retrieved from https://main.knesset.gov.il/Activity/Info/MMM/Pages/document.aspx?docId=4646c8d4-2fc0-ea11-8107-00155d0aee38&businessType=1
Druckman, Yaron. 2020. “State Comptroller: The array of epidemiological investigations was not conducted effectively, days until test results were obtained,” Retrieved from https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/rJzlPx4uD
Ministry of Health. 2020. Ministry of Health: During the Months of July and August, 53 Coronavirus Deaths were not Reported as part of Project Magen Avot VeImahot, Retrieved from https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/19082020_02
Ron, Yael. 2020. The Corona exposes the gaps in Israeli society, Globes, Retrieved from https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001346402
The State Comptroller. 2020. “A special report on The Health System way of handling erupting and renewable diseases,” Retrieved from https://www.mevaker.gov.il/sites/DigitalLibrary/Documents/2020/70a/200-health.pdf?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Yaron, Shlomit & Alon Laufer. 2020. “Hospitalization at home and hotel for verified Corona patients,” Clalit, Retrieved from https://www.clalit.co.il/he/info/services/Pages/inpatient_care_corona.aspx
Zeitun, Yoav. 2020. “IDF: 300 soldiers will be recruited for epidemiological investigations; Fighters will leave every 21 days,” Calcalist, Retrieved from https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3837954,00.html
Graph View
To what extent do family support policies enable women to combine parenting with participation in the labor market?
10
9
9
Family support policies effectively enable women to combine parenting with employment.
8
7
6
7
6
Family support policies provide some support for women who want to combine parenting and employment.
5
4
3
4
3
Family support policies provide only few opportunities for women who want to combine parenting and employment.
2
1
1
Family support policies force most women to opt for either parenting or employment.
Israel has a mixed family policy that is pro-family while also supporting the integration of mothers into the labor force. The total number of weeks of maternity leave in Israel is similar to the average across the OECD. However, other OECD countries offer more flexibility in terms of using parental-leave benefits or returning to work on a part-time basis.
The need for further subsidies for daycare and after-school activities has gained prominence as a middle-class issue, and a plan to subsidize care for children up to the age of five was announced. Compulsory education has been expanded, introducing free education for children aged three to four. However, reports claim that this program is still largely underfunded, and does not offer sustainable relief for working mothers and young families.
Women currently make up 47% of employees. A 2016 study indicates that becoming a mother has almost no effect on the employment rate of women aged between 25 and 44, especially for highly educated women. This positive trend is more prevalent among working Jewish women, whose employment rate nearly equals that of Jewish men. In line with government policies, there has been a gradual increase in workforce participation among Arab and ultra-Orthodox Jewish women, although they still lag behind.
Wage gaps between men and women remain. Since many women work part-time or hold temporary jobs in order to sustain their traditional role as the main household caregivers, their average monthly wage is lower than the average for men. The gender gap is smaller but still significant for hourly wages, with women earning an average hourly rate of 15.8% lower than that of men. The wage gap is mainly driven by the position and scope of women’s jobs, and differences in occupation, with a much smaller proportion of the gap attributable to direct discrimination (Taub Center 2017).
During the initial stages of the pandemic outbreak, women were more likely to lose their jobs than men (Kidar & Yarden 2020). In addition, about 7% of all working mothers did not return to work after the first lockdown (Ilan 2020). A decrease in earnings for women has also become apparent during the crisis (Rosenberg & Demeri, 2020).
Regarding emergency childcare for families, it seems that initiatives in municipalities and local authorities made use of already existing programs to support those in need, such as programs to support families in low-income neighborhoods in Israel (e.g., after-school activities and teaching). These programs are generally run in the neighborhood, and can be used to provide childcare and activities for children to do, instead of the child staying at home while parents work (Almog-Zaken & Sorek 2020)
Citations:
Central Bureau of Statistics, “Labour Force Survey Data, August 2017” http://www.cbs.gov.il/reader/newhodaot/hodaa_template_eng.html?hodaa=201720283
Karcher-Tzameret, H., Herzog, H., Hazan, N. “The gender index,” Shavot – the center for women advancement in the public sphere 2016 (Hebrew). http://genderindex.vanleer.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%A8%D7%99-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%9E%D7%A6%D7%90%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%93-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%92%D7%93%D7%A8-2016.pdf
“Life-work balance: regulation 2/2017,” Civil Service Commission (Hebrew):
http://www.csc.gov.il/DataBases/Hozrim/Pages/2-2017.aspx
Mizrachi-Simon, S. “Employment within Arab Woman in Israel,” Knesset Research and Information Center, 31.7.2016: https://www.knesset.gov.il/mmm/data/pdf/m03804.pdf
Swirsky, S., E. Konor-Atias, “Social status report 2016,” January 2017 (Hebrew): http://adva.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/SocialReport2016.pdf
Taub Center Staff, “Work-life balance: parental leave policies in Israel” Taub Center Bulletin Articles, 27.7.2016,
http://taubcenter.org.il/work-life-balance-parental-leave-policies-in-israel/
Taub Center Staff, “Division of Labor: Wage Gaps between Women and Men in Israel” Taub Center Policy Research, 01.03.2017:
http://taubcenter.org.il/division-of-labor-wage-gaps-between-women-and-men-in-israel/,
“The tax benefits for parents at Net Family will become permanent,” Ynet, 22.2.18 (Hebrew):
https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5126144,00.html
Udasin, S & Hoffman, G. “Kahlon Announces Sweeping Tax Cut Program for Working Families,” The Jerusalem Post, 18.4.2017: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Kahlon-announces-sweeping-tax-cut-program-for-working-families-488250
Almog-Zaken, Aya & Yue Sorek. 2020, “Community Solutions for Individuals and Families in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Israel During the Corona Epidemic,” Brookdale Institute, Retrieved from https://brookdale.jdc.org.il/publication/better-together-program-corona/
Ilan, Shahar. 2020. “66% of the unemployed in the second wave are women – and there is still no targeted assistance,” Calcalist, Retrieved from https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3851779,00.html
Ilan, Shahar, 2020. “Employment Service: 70% of unemployed persons returning in the second closure – women” Calcalist, Retrieved from https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3851245,00.html
Keidar, Yarden. 2020. Impact of the Corona Crisis: Women – Men, The Israel Democracy Institute, Retrieved from https://www.idi.org.il/blogs/special-economic-survey/march-april-2020/31818
Kol Zchut. 2020. “Which grants are eligible during Covid-19?,” Retrieved from https://blog.kolzchut.org.il/?p=2643
Ministry of Labor. 2020. “Emergency regulations regarding employees and employees, protected by the Women’s Labor Law, have been repealed,” https://www.gov.il/he/departments/news/cancellation-emergency-regulations
Rosenberg, Mark and Noam Demeri. 2020. “Characteristics of employees whose wages have been reduced due to the Coronavirus,” National Insurance Institute, Retrieved from https://www.btl.gov.il/Publications/more_publications/Documents/meafyenei_ovdim.pdf
Rosenberg, Mark, Noam Demery, Kobe Cohen & Raffaele Cohen. 2020. ” Labor Market Characteristics in the First Half of 2020,” National Insurance Institute, Retrieved from https://www.btl.gov.il/Publications/more_publications/Documents/meafyenei_shuk.pdf
The need for further subsidies for daycare and after-school activities has gained prominence as a middle-class issue, and a plan to subsidize care for children up to the age of five was announced. Compulsory education has been expanded, introducing free education for children aged three to four. However, reports claim that this program is still largely underfunded, and does not offer sustainable relief for working mothers and young families.
Women currently make up 47% of employees. A 2016 study indicates that becoming a mother has almost no effect on the employment rate of women aged between 25 and 44, especially for highly educated women. This positive trend is more prevalent among working Jewish women, whose employment rate nearly equals that of Jewish men. In line with government policies, there has been a gradual increase in workforce participation among Arab and ultra-Orthodox Jewish women, although they still lag behind.
Wage gaps between men and women remain. Since many women work part-time or hold temporary jobs in order to sustain their traditional role as the main household caregivers, their average monthly wage is lower than the average for men. The gender gap is smaller but still significant for hourly wages, with women earning an average hourly rate of 15.8% lower than that of men. The wage gap is mainly driven by the position and scope of women’s jobs, and differences in occupation, with a much smaller proportion of the gap attributable to direct discrimination (Taub Center 2017).
During the initial stages of the pandemic outbreak, women were more likely to lose their jobs than men (Kidar & Yarden 2020). In addition, about 7% of all working mothers did not return to work after the first lockdown (Ilan 2020). A decrease in earnings for women has also become apparent during the crisis (Rosenberg & Demeri, 2020).
Regarding emergency childcare for families, it seems that initiatives in municipalities and local authorities made use of already existing programs to support those in need, such as programs to support families in low-income neighborhoods in Israel (e.g., after-school activities and teaching). These programs are generally run in the neighborhood, and can be used to provide childcare and activities for children to do, instead of the child staying at home while parents work (Almog-Zaken & Sorek 2020)
Citations:
Central Bureau of Statistics, “Labour Force Survey Data, August 2017” http://www.cbs.gov.il/reader/newhodaot/hodaa_template_eng.html?hodaa=201720283
Karcher-Tzameret, H., Herzog, H., Hazan, N. “The gender index,” Shavot – the center for women advancement in the public sphere 2016 (Hebrew). http://genderindex.vanleer.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/%D7%A2%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%A8%D7%99-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%9E%D7%A6%D7%90%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%93-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%92%D7%93%D7%A8-2016.pdf
“Life-work balance: regulation 2/2017,” Civil Service Commission (Hebrew):
http://www.csc.gov.il/DataBases/Hozrim/Pages/2-2017.aspx
Mizrachi-Simon, S. “Employment within Arab Woman in Israel,” Knesset Research and Information Center, 31.7.2016: https://www.knesset.gov.il/mmm/data/pdf/m03804.pdf
Swirsky, S., E. Konor-Atias, “Social status report 2016,” January 2017 (Hebrew): http://adva.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/SocialReport2016.pdf
Taub Center Staff, “Work-life balance: parental leave policies in Israel” Taub Center Bulletin Articles, 27.7.2016,
http://taubcenter.org.il/work-life-balance-parental-leave-policies-in-israel/
Taub Center Staff, “Division of Labor: Wage Gaps between Women and Men in Israel” Taub Center Policy Research, 01.03.2017:
http://taubcenter.org.il/division-of-labor-wage-gaps-between-women-and-men-in-israel/,
“The tax benefits for parents at Net Family will become permanent,” Ynet, 22.2.18 (Hebrew):
https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5126144,00.html
Udasin, S & Hoffman, G. “Kahlon Announces Sweeping Tax Cut Program for Working Families,” The Jerusalem Post, 18.4.2017: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Kahlon-announces-sweeping-tax-cut-program-for-working-families-488250
Almog-Zaken, Aya & Yue Sorek. 2020, “Community Solutions for Individuals and Families in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Israel During the Corona Epidemic,” Brookdale Institute, Retrieved from https://brookdale.jdc.org.il/publication/better-together-program-corona/
Ilan, Shahar. 2020. “66% of the unemployed in the second wave are women – and there is still no targeted assistance,” Calcalist, Retrieved from https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3851779,00.html
Ilan, Shahar, 2020. “Employment Service: 70% of unemployed persons returning in the second closure – women” Calcalist, Retrieved from https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3851245,00.html
Keidar, Yarden. 2020. Impact of the Corona Crisis: Women – Men, The Israel Democracy Institute, Retrieved from https://www.idi.org.il/blogs/special-economic-survey/march-april-2020/31818
Kol Zchut. 2020. “Which grants are eligible during Covid-19?,” Retrieved from https://blog.kolzchut.org.il/?p=2643
Ministry of Labor. 2020. “Emergency regulations regarding employees and employees, protected by the Women’s Labor Law, have been repealed,” https://www.gov.il/he/departments/news/cancellation-emergency-regulations
Rosenberg, Mark and Noam Demeri. 2020. “Characteristics of employees whose wages have been reduced due to the Coronavirus,” National Insurance Institute, Retrieved from https://www.btl.gov.il/Publications/more_publications/Documents/meafyenei_ovdim.pdf
Rosenberg, Mark, Noam Demery, Kobe Cohen & Raffaele Cohen. 2020. ” Labor Market Characteristics in the First Half of 2020,” National Insurance Institute, Retrieved from https://www.btl.gov.il/Publications/more_publications/Documents/meafyenei_shuk.pdf
Graph View
To what extent does pension policy realize goals of poverty prevention, intergenerational equity and fiscal sustainability?
10
9
9
Pension policy achieves the objectives fully.
8
7
6
7
6
Pension policy achieves the objectives largely.
5
4
3
4
3
Pension policy achieves the objectives partly.
2
1
1
Pension policy does not achieve the objectives at all.
The Israeli pension system is mainly based nowadays on defined-benefits pension plans, with most contributions invested in the capital market and some 30% in government bonds. The main risk under that system is carried by individuals. Since 2008, every salaried employee has to have a pension plan, of which two-thirds is financed by the employer. Meanwhile, every self-employed worker has had to have a pension plan since 2017. This is meant to secure the future of Israel’s moderately aging population. However, mandatory pension saving reduces available income for poor households and does not supply the supplementary income that is critical for the extremely poor.
Israel’s pension system is based on competition between pension funds, which is supposed to lower management fees. In addition, the Ministry of Finance defined “default” pension funds committed to charging lower management.
In 2021, the Israeli parliament approved a bill to raise the retirement age for women in Israel. The retirement age for women will rise from 62 to 65, over a period of 11 years. The retirement age for men is currently 67.
Citations:
Avitan Cohen, Shirit, “Finance Committee approves bill to raise women’s retirement age,” 21.10.2021 https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-finance-cttee-approves-bill-to-raise-womens-retirement-age-1001388263
“Israel ranks fourth in the OECD in the poverty rate of the elderly,” the marker 20.2.18 (Hebrew):
https://www.themarker.com/career/1.5829515
JPOST, “Pension Reform,” The Jerusalem Post, 8.2.2016, http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Pension-reform-463059
“Kahlon unveils pension plan for self-employed Israel,” Globes, 21.4.2016, http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-kahlon-unveils-pension-plan-for-self-employed-israelis-1001119587
Swirsky, S., E. Konor-Atias, “Social status report 2016,” January 2017. (Hebrew)
http://adva.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/SocialReport2016.pdf
Zarhia, Zvi, “The Work and Welfare Committee Approved: Pension Savings for all Self-Employed,” 07.02.2016 https://www.themarker.com/news/1.3146099
Israel’s pension system is based on competition between pension funds, which is supposed to lower management fees. In addition, the Ministry of Finance defined “default” pension funds committed to charging lower management.
In 2021, the Israeli parliament approved a bill to raise the retirement age for women in Israel. The retirement age for women will rise from 62 to 65, over a period of 11 years. The retirement age for men is currently 67.
Citations:
Avitan Cohen, Shirit, “Finance Committee approves bill to raise women’s retirement age,” 21.10.2021 https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-finance-cttee-approves-bill-to-raise-womens-retirement-age-1001388263
“Israel ranks fourth in the OECD in the poverty rate of the elderly,” the marker 20.2.18 (Hebrew):
https://www.themarker.com/career/1.5829515
JPOST, “Pension Reform,” The Jerusalem Post, 8.2.2016, http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Pension-reform-463059
“Kahlon unveils pension plan for self-employed Israel,” Globes, 21.4.2016, http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-kahlon-unveils-pension-plan-for-self-employed-israelis-1001119587
Swirsky, S., E. Konor-Atias, “Social status report 2016,” January 2017. (Hebrew)
http://adva.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/SocialReport2016.pdf
Zarhia, Zvi, “The Work and Welfare Committee Approved: Pension Savings for all Self-Employed,” 07.02.2016 https://www.themarker.com/news/1.3146099
Graph View
How effectively do policies support the integration of migrants into society?
10
9
9
Cultural, education and social policies effectively support the integration of migrants into society.
8
7
6
7
6
Cultural, education and social policies seek to integrate migrants into society, but have failed to do so effectively.
5
4
3
4
3
Cultural, education and social policies do not focus on integrating migrants into society.
2
1
1
Cultural, education and social policies segregate migrant communities from the majority society.
In Israel, we need to distinguish between two general types of immigration: immigration of non-Israeli Jews, which is legally recognized and encouraged, not least through financial and other support for immigrants; and immigration of non-Jews, who migrate as refugees or as illegal immigrants, for which no coherent framework exists. Though there is a continuous presence of migrant workers in sectors such as agriculture, construction and elderly care, workers are defined as temporary. In addition, in recent years, Israel has tried in various debatable ways to deport illegal immigrants, particularly migrants from African countries.
Legal immigrants have full access to the labor market and the education system. In addition, they are eligible for free-of-charge preparatory courses in various professional domains and general orientation for the Israeli labor market. Adults and children are also eligible for dedicated Hebrew language courses. However, illegal immigrants have restricted and non-inclusive access to the labor market. Access to the education system depends upon local authorities’ policies. Due to their illegal status, they are officially eligible only to receive emergency medical services, and other medical services are provided by humanitarian and medical NGOs or private doctors.
Citations:
Aid to financing immigrant wages, The Israeli Government Website, 2019 (Hebrew)
https://www.gov.il/he/departments/general/participation_in_salary
Immigration funding support, The Israeli Government, 2019 (Hebrew):
https://www.gov.il/he/departments/general/absorption_basket
Times of Israel, “Israel freezes deportations of asylum-seekers after a court challenge,” 15.03.2018: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-freezes-deportations-of-asylum-seekers-after-court-challenge/
Bar-On, Guy, “The Only Country that Fines Refugees,” The Marker, 24.9.2017, https://www.themarker.com/opinion/1.4461484
Dressler, Tamar, “Going in and out: the broken dreams of the new Tzabars,” Maariv, 13/02/2018 (Hebrew):
https://www.maariv.co.il/news/israel/Article-623907
“Enlarged assistance to native Ethiopians,” The Ministry of Construction and Housing website (Hebrew)
“Foreigners who cannot be deported from Israel,” State comptroller, 2014 (Hebrew): http://www.mevaker.gov.il/he/Reports/Report_248/af07752c-7845-4f1d-ae97-23c45c702624/102-ver-5.pdf
Leshem, Elazar, “The Reform in the Absorption Policy”16.8.2007, http://taubcenter.org.il/wp-content/files_mf/h2007_immigrant_integration32.pdf
Lior, Ilan, “Israel Jails Hundreds of African Asylum-Seekers Without Trial Every Year,” Haaretz 24.9.2017, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.813781
“Towards deportation of ”Illegals”: how many were approved asylum from the third world?,” “the day that was” department, Nana10 news, 04/01/2018 (Hebrew):
http://10tv.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=1279742
Rosenberg, David, “Israel prepares to deport African infiltrators, issues warnings,” 04.02.2018, http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/241542
Kershner, Isabel, “Israel Moves to Expel Africans. Critics Say That’s Not Jewish“, 02.02.2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/world/middleeast/israel-migrants-african.html
Legal immigrants have full access to the labor market and the education system. In addition, they are eligible for free-of-charge preparatory courses in various professional domains and general orientation for the Israeli labor market. Adults and children are also eligible for dedicated Hebrew language courses. However, illegal immigrants have restricted and non-inclusive access to the labor market. Access to the education system depends upon local authorities’ policies. Due to their illegal status, they are officially eligible only to receive emergency medical services, and other medical services are provided by humanitarian and medical NGOs or private doctors.
Citations:
Aid to financing immigrant wages, The Israeli Government Website, 2019 (Hebrew)
https://www.gov.il/he/departments/general/participation_in_salary
Immigration funding support, The Israeli Government, 2019 (Hebrew):
https://www.gov.il/he/departments/general/absorption_basket
Times of Israel, “Israel freezes deportations of asylum-seekers after a court challenge,” 15.03.2018: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-freezes-deportations-of-asylum-seekers-after-court-challenge/
Bar-On, Guy, “The Only Country that Fines Refugees,” The Marker, 24.9.2017, https://www.themarker.com/opinion/1.4461484
Dressler, Tamar, “Going in and out: the broken dreams of the new Tzabars,” Maariv, 13/02/2018 (Hebrew):
https://www.maariv.co.il/news/israel/Article-623907
“Enlarged assistance to native Ethiopians,” The Ministry of Construction and Housing website (Hebrew)
“Foreigners who cannot be deported from Israel,” State comptroller, 2014 (Hebrew): http://www.mevaker.gov.il/he/Reports/Report_248/af07752c-7845-4f1d-ae97-23c45c702624/102-ver-5.pdf
Leshem, Elazar, “The Reform in the Absorption Policy”16.8.2007, http://taubcenter.org.il/wp-content/files_mf/h2007_immigrant_integration32.pdf
Lior, Ilan, “Israel Jails Hundreds of African Asylum-Seekers Without Trial Every Year,” Haaretz 24.9.2017, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.813781
“Towards deportation of ”Illegals”: how many were approved asylum from the third world?,” “the day that was” department, Nana10 news, 04/01/2018 (Hebrew):
http://10tv.nana10.co.il/Article/?ArticleID=1279742
Rosenberg, David, “Israel prepares to deport African infiltrators, issues warnings,” 04.02.2018, http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/241542
Kershner, Isabel, “Israel Moves to Expel Africans. Critics Say That’s Not Jewish“, 02.02.2018, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/02/world/middleeast/israel-migrants-african.html
Graph View
How effectively does internal security policy protect citizens against security risks?
10
9
9
Internal security policy protects citizens against security risks very effectively.
8
7
6
7
6
Internal security policy protects citizens against security risks more or less effectively.
5
4
3
4
3
Internal security policy does not effectively protect citizens against security risks.
2
1
1
Internal security policy exacerbates the security risks.
The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) is the main body that manages the internal security policy, including crime prevention, prisons, gun control and fire prevention policies. Counterterrorism is mainly handled by the Shin Bet. The Israel National Cyber Directorate is responsible for cybercrime security.
Notwithstanding occasional acts of terrorism, Israelis still report that they feel generally secure. According to the most recent crime-victimization survey, 70% of people claim that they feel safe walking alone at night. Israel’s homicide rate (a more accurate indicator of safety in a country) is 1.8 per 100,000 inhabitants in contrast to 3.8 on average in OECD countries.
Nevertheless, this seems to hold mainly for Jewish municipalities. Arab communities suffer extensive crime and violence. Arab citizens make up about a fifth of the Israeli population, but are involved in 93% of shooting incidents, 64% of murders, 61% of arson incidents, 56% of weapons offenses and 47% of robberies. The year 2021 was characterized by a major effort by decision-makers and other stakeholders to raise awareness and implement concrete measures to tackle the “violence epidemic.” Major funds have been allocated for policing, welfare and the educational needs of the Arab-Israeli population.
Citations:
Elran, Meir, Lavie, Ephraim, Itzhali, Meni and Wattad, Mohammed S. (2021). “Curbing Violence and Crime in the Arab Sector in Israel: Policy Recommendations.” The Institute for National Security Studies https://www.inss.org.il/publication/violence-arab-sector-in-israel/
“A View on MPS 2016,” http://mops.gov.il/Documents/Publications/HofeshHamaida/summeryreport2016.pdf
Grassini, E., Between security and military identities: The case of Israeli security experts, Security Dialogue, 49(2018)1-2, 83-95: https://pure.uva.nl/ws/files/22149964/0967010617747202.pdf
Israel’s Crime Victimization Survey 2015, CBS,
http://www.cbs.gov.il/publications16/1653_bitachon_ishi_2015/pdf/intro_e.pdf
Kubovich, Y., “98% of sexual harassment victims in Israel don’t complain to police according to Gov’t poll,” 5.5.2015, Haaretz: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.654825
“National violence index 2014,” the Ministry of Public Security publication February 2014 (Hebrew).
“Safety: Better life index Israel,” OECD. http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/safety/
State Comptroller: “Police do not reduce the gap between the number of crime cases and indictments in the Arab sector, Calcalist, 15.8.18 (Hebrew):
https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3744371,00.html
Ziv, Amitai, “Instead of cyber protection we got a 200 million NIS “puppet of the Shabak,” The Marker, 29.08.2018 (Hebrew):
https://www.themarker.com/technation/.premium-1.6429216
Hermann, Tamar et al., A Conditional Partnership. Jews and Arabs. Israel 2017, Israel Democracy Institute, Jerusalem 2017, https://en.idi.org.il/media/11172/jews-and-arabs.pdf
Abu Ras, Thabet, and Be’eri Sulitzeanu, Amnon, Roots of Crime Wave in Arab Cities of Israel, Abraham Initiatives, 15.10.2019, https://abrahaminitiatives.org/roots-of-crime-wave-in-arab-cities-of-israel/
Notwithstanding occasional acts of terrorism, Israelis still report that they feel generally secure. According to the most recent crime-victimization survey, 70% of people claim that they feel safe walking alone at night. Israel’s homicide rate (a more accurate indicator of safety in a country) is 1.8 per 100,000 inhabitants in contrast to 3.8 on average in OECD countries.
Nevertheless, this seems to hold mainly for Jewish municipalities. Arab communities suffer extensive crime and violence. Arab citizens make up about a fifth of the Israeli population, but are involved in 93% of shooting incidents, 64% of murders, 61% of arson incidents, 56% of weapons offenses and 47% of robberies. The year 2021 was characterized by a major effort by decision-makers and other stakeholders to raise awareness and implement concrete measures to tackle the “violence epidemic.” Major funds have been allocated for policing, welfare and the educational needs of the Arab-Israeli population.
Citations:
Elran, Meir, Lavie, Ephraim, Itzhali, Meni and Wattad, Mohammed S. (2021). “Curbing Violence and Crime in the Arab Sector in Israel: Policy Recommendations.” The Institute for National Security Studies https://www.inss.org.il/publication/violence-arab-sector-in-israel/
“A View on MPS 2016,” http://mops.gov.il/Documents/Publications/HofeshHamaida/summeryreport2016.pdf
Grassini, E., Between security and military identities: The case of Israeli security experts, Security Dialogue, 49(2018)1-2, 83-95: https://pure.uva.nl/ws/files/22149964/0967010617747202.pdf
Israel’s Crime Victimization Survey 2015, CBS,
http://www.cbs.gov.il/publications16/1653_bitachon_ishi_2015/pdf/intro_e.pdf
Kubovich, Y., “98% of sexual harassment victims in Israel don’t complain to police according to Gov’t poll,” 5.5.2015, Haaretz: http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.654825
“National violence index 2014,” the Ministry of Public Security publication February 2014 (Hebrew).
“Safety: Better life index Israel,” OECD. http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/safety/
State Comptroller: “Police do not reduce the gap between the number of crime cases and indictments in the Arab sector, Calcalist, 15.8.18 (Hebrew):
https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3744371,00.html
Ziv, Amitai, “Instead of cyber protection we got a 200 million NIS “puppet of the Shabak,” The Marker, 29.08.2018 (Hebrew):
https://www.themarker.com/technation/.premium-1.6429216
Hermann, Tamar et al., A Conditional Partnership. Jews and Arabs. Israel 2017, Israel Democracy Institute, Jerusalem 2017, https://en.idi.org.il/media/11172/jews-and-arabs.pdf
Abu Ras, Thabet, and Be’eri Sulitzeanu, Amnon, Roots of Crime Wave in Arab Cities of Israel, Abraham Initiatives, 15.10.2019, https://abrahaminitiatives.org/roots-of-crime-wave-in-arab-cities-of-israel/
Graph View
To what extent does the government demonstrate an active and coherent commitment to promoting equal socioeconomic opportunities in low- and middle-income countries?
10
9
9
The government actively and coherently engages in international efforts to promote equal socioeconomic opportunities in low- and middle-income countries. It frequently demonstrates initiative and responsibility, and acts as an agenda-setter.
8
7
6
7
6
The government actively engages in international efforts to promote equal socioeconomic opportunities in low- and middle-income countries. However, some of its measures or policies lack coherence.
5
4
3
4
3
The government shows limited engagement in international efforts to promote equal socioeconomic opportunities in low- and middle-income countries. Many of its measures or policies lack coherence.
2
1
1
The government does not contribute (and often undermines) efforts to promote equal socioeconomic opportunities in low- and middle-income countries.
Israeli policy regarding global inequalities mainly consists of offering assistance in humanitarian, medical and financial aid to developing countries during emergencies. In recent decades, this aid has been expanded to technological and agricultural knowledge-sharing. The government’s Center for International Cooperation (MASHAV) oversees cooperation with other developed countries and is responsible for launching emergency-assistance missions.
Although Israel has signed a number of international cooperation agreements with parties such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, it is not considered to be a leader or an agenda-setter with regard to global fair-trade policies. However, it is improving its regulatory structure to reflect international trade agreements and WTO standards.
In January 2019, Israel established a fund that aims to support environmental projects in developing countries. The fund is the responsibility of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy, with the help of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The World Health Organization (WHO) defined COVID-19 as a pandemic that requires global attention and cooperation among nations. Israel complied with the WHO request and worked together with the international community to assist developing countries, to manufacture and spread better medical equipment and technology, and to develop a vaccine as fast as possible. Between March and July 2020, Israel’s government sent equipment, medical assistance and experts to 16 countries to assist in their fight against the pandemic.
Israeli support for the Palestinian Authority (PA) was moderate at best. Israel delivered coronavirus testing kits to the PA and worked together with Palestinian medical experts to prevent the spread of the virus in the PA’s territory. Israel also helped the PA in coordinating the entry of over 50,000 masks and 3,000 testing kits donated by the WHO.
In addition, Israel sent a research delegation to India to work on several missions, including the development of new and rapid coronavirus tests, treatment of Indian patients, and the development of new technologies to improve the treatment of coronavirus patients. Besides its assistance to other counties, the Israeli government had cooperated with the international community to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. The Israeli government joined COVAX, an international facility that aims to pull the cost and benefits of finding, producing and distributing an effective vaccine, and fully committed to the global combined effort to develop a vaccine. By placing costs and reward consideration aside, COVAX made it possible for Israel to receive frozen SARS-COV-2 samples from Japan, Italy and Switzerland for study at the Israel Institute for Biological Research. Israel also participated in the combined global effort to develop a vaccine, improve treatment, and manufacture diagnostic kits, pledging $60 million in an international conference that aimed to raise up to $8 billion.
Citations:
“Environmental, Finance, and Economy Ministries set up a fund to support environmental projects in developing countries” Ministry of Environment, 16.1.2019 (Hebrew)
http://www.sviva.gov.il/InfoServices/NewsAndEvents/MessageDoverAndNews/Pages/2019/01-Jan/new_fund_supporting_environmental_projects_developing_countries.aspx
Hayut, Ilanit, “Israeli gov’t expands meat imports to spur competition” Globes, 24.03.2016, http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-govt-expands-meat-imports-to-spur-competition-1001112370
“Israel and World Bank Group sign agreement to share innovative best practices in water,” The World Bank website 17.6.2015: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2015/06/17/israel-world-bank-group-agreement-innovative-best-practices-water
“Israel shares cybersecurity expertise with World Bank client countries,” The World Bank Website, 22.6.2016: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2016/06/22/israel-shares-cybersecurity-expertise-with-world-bank-client-countries
Reuters. 2020. Brazil to Join COVAX Vaccine Facility, as Chile, Israel, UEA also Sign Up, retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-brazil-int-idUSKCN26G169
Harkov, Lahav. 2020. Coronavirus complicates Israeli research and aid delegation to India, The Jerusalem Post, retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/coronavirus-complicates-israeli-research-and-aid-delegation-to-india-63630
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2020. Israel worldwide fight against covid-19, retrieved from https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/VideoLibrary/Pages/Israel-s-worldwide-fight-against-COVID-19-30-July-2020.aspx
NOCAMLES. 2020. Israel pledges 60$ million towards global efforts for covid-19 vaccine, diagnostics, R&D, retrieved from https://nocamels.com/2020/05/israel-60m-global-efforts-for-covid19-vaccine-diagnostics/
Jeffery, Nathan. 2020. Their best shot: Israeli efforts to invent a coronavirus vaccine, explained, the times of Israel, retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/their-best-shots-israeli-efforts-to-invent-a-coronavirus-vaccine-explained/
Ron, Omri. 2020. Israel sends 200 coronavirus test kits to Gaza strip, The Jerusalem Post, retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-sends-200-coronavirus-test-kits-to-Gaza-strip-620883
Although Israel has signed a number of international cooperation agreements with parties such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, it is not considered to be a leader or an agenda-setter with regard to global fair-trade policies. However, it is improving its regulatory structure to reflect international trade agreements and WTO standards.
In January 2019, Israel established a fund that aims to support environmental projects in developing countries. The fund is the responsibility of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy, with the help of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The World Health Organization (WHO) defined COVID-19 as a pandemic that requires global attention and cooperation among nations. Israel complied with the WHO request and worked together with the international community to assist developing countries, to manufacture and spread better medical equipment and technology, and to develop a vaccine as fast as possible. Between March and July 2020, Israel’s government sent equipment, medical assistance and experts to 16 countries to assist in their fight against the pandemic.
Israeli support for the Palestinian Authority (PA) was moderate at best. Israel delivered coronavirus testing kits to the PA and worked together with Palestinian medical experts to prevent the spread of the virus in the PA’s territory. Israel also helped the PA in coordinating the entry of over 50,000 masks and 3,000 testing kits donated by the WHO.
In addition, Israel sent a research delegation to India to work on several missions, including the development of new and rapid coronavirus tests, treatment of Indian patients, and the development of new technologies to improve the treatment of coronavirus patients. Besides its assistance to other counties, the Israeli government had cooperated with the international community to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. The Israeli government joined COVAX, an international facility that aims to pull the cost and benefits of finding, producing and distributing an effective vaccine, and fully committed to the global combined effort to develop a vaccine. By placing costs and reward consideration aside, COVAX made it possible for Israel to receive frozen SARS-COV-2 samples from Japan, Italy and Switzerland for study at the Israel Institute for Biological Research. Israel also participated in the combined global effort to develop a vaccine, improve treatment, and manufacture diagnostic kits, pledging $60 million in an international conference that aimed to raise up to $8 billion.
Citations:
“Environmental, Finance, and Economy Ministries set up a fund to support environmental projects in developing countries” Ministry of Environment, 16.1.2019 (Hebrew)
http://www.sviva.gov.il/InfoServices/NewsAndEvents/MessageDoverAndNews/Pages/2019/01-Jan/new_fund_supporting_environmental_projects_developing_countries.aspx
Hayut, Ilanit, “Israeli gov’t expands meat imports to spur competition” Globes, 24.03.2016, http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-govt-expands-meat-imports-to-spur-competition-1001112370
“Israel and World Bank Group sign agreement to share innovative best practices in water,” The World Bank website 17.6.2015: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2015/06/17/israel-world-bank-group-agreement-innovative-best-practices-water
“Israel shares cybersecurity expertise with World Bank client countries,” The World Bank Website, 22.6.2016: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2016/06/22/israel-shares-cybersecurity-expertise-with-world-bank-client-countries
Reuters. 2020. Brazil to Join COVAX Vaccine Facility, as Chile, Israel, UEA also Sign Up, retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-brazil-int-idUSKCN26G169
Harkov, Lahav. 2020. Coronavirus complicates Israeli research and aid delegation to India, The Jerusalem Post, retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/coronavirus-complicates-israeli-research-and-aid-delegation-to-india-63630
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2020. Israel worldwide fight against covid-19, retrieved from https://mfa.gov.il/MFA/IsraelExperience/VideoLibrary/Pages/Israel-s-worldwide-fight-against-COVID-19-30-July-2020.aspx
NOCAMLES. 2020. Israel pledges 60$ million towards global efforts for covid-19 vaccine, diagnostics, R&D, retrieved from https://nocamels.com/2020/05/israel-60m-global-efforts-for-covid19-vaccine-diagnostics/
Jeffery, Nathan. 2020. Their best shot: Israeli efforts to invent a coronavirus vaccine, explained, the times of Israel, retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/their-best-shots-israeli-efforts-to-invent-a-coronavirus-vaccine-explained/
Ron, Omri. 2020. Israel sends 200 coronavirus test kits to Gaza strip, The Jerusalem Post, retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-sends-200-coronavirus-test-kits-to-Gaza-strip-620883