Compassion for Israel 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
By: Jerusalem Institute of Justice

It is clear to us at Jerusalem Institute of Justice (JIJ) and to all who wish to assist the thousands of needy in Israel, that as we summarize all the humanitarian aid activities of 2009, the situation is dire. Here is an overview of the social justice needs of Israel.

Facts on the Ground

Facts reveal an increase of about 40% of Israeli families in which a member has died due to lack of sufficient funds for medicines and medical care. Sixty-three percent of needy families are unable to buy medication. Sixty-two percent of the needy families are unable to supply their children with a nutritionally balanced diet. A poverty report published recently by the “Latet” organization projects a gloomy picture with regard to the repercussions of the economic situation in Israel. “Latet" is one of the leading organizations in providing aid to the under privileged and holocaust survivors.

Over the last few years, JIJ has been working hand in hand with “Latet”. Their report, which covers 2009, determines that dental care for needy families is in the realm of luxury. Seventy-five percent of children from these families receive no dental care whatsoever. Twenty-five percent of children from families receiving food donations from various organizations are obliged to work in order to help support the family. The most distressing fact is that 6% of these children revert to stealing food in order to survive. One eighth of the needy families report that at least one of their children has violent behavioral problems due to their situation. Research finds that poverty in school children leads to derision and social rejection within the school framework. The connection between poverty and deterioration to crime is obvious.

Recently, Israel’s Council for the Welfare of Children published a report showing a steep rise in the number of children becoming victims of severe violent crimes. Furthermore, the aid organizations themselves have become victims of the economic crisis in Israel. The picture that is clear now is that most of the organizations will not recover in 2010, many professional employees are being discharged, and many organizations are at risk of closure.

Statistics and Trends

Here are some more interesting facts with regards to existing aid organizations in Israel:

Four percent of aid organizations in Israel did not survive 2009; 24% cut activities over 2009; 3 out of 4 organizations reported decrease of over 33% in donations; 25% of planned projects were either postponed to an unspecified date or cancelled completely; 66% of organizations supplying food reported that they were forced to reduce activities and also had to discharge about 14% of their employees, leading to a 22% reduction in ability of providing food. On the other hand, almost one half of the organizations reported an increase in needy families requiring food supplies.

This is a serious picture which challenges JIJ to advocate even stronger for the needy in 2010.

[Editor’s Note: MJAA maintained all activities in Israel from 2008 to 2009. MJAA reported an increase of donations in 2009 by 11%. We’ve budgeted to double all activities in 2010.]