Israeli Organizations Demand National Youth Protection Plan Ahead of Elections
Ahead of the 26th Knesset elections, Israeli parent, youth, and welfare organizations launched a joint campaign demanding a national action plan to combat youth violence and mental distress.
Ahead of the upcoming 26th Knesset elections scheduled for October 27, the National Parents Leadership, the National Student and Youth Council, and the ELEM association have launched a joint initiative titled "Choosing All Our Children." The campaign calls on policymakers to prioritize the welfare of children and teenagers and to stop treating their crises as isolated incidents.
In recent weeks, the organizations reached out to various political parties, demanding the formulation of a multi-year national action plan focused on safety, resilience, and violence prevention. According to the demand, the plan must include a dedicated budget, measurable goals, clear timelines, and a division of responsibilities among government bodies.
A Growing Crisis Among Youth
The joint initiative was born out of the upheavals experienced by Israeli children in recent years, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns to the disruption of daily routines, educational frameworks, and ongoing wartime uncertainty. Alongside these challenges, youth face physical and verbal violence, boycotts, public shaming, sexual abuse, substance use, loneliness, and a lack of belonging.
"The responsibility for the safety of children and youth cannot remain solely in the hands of parents, schools, or local authorities," state the campaign initiators.
Eight Key Demands
The organizations formulated a document outlining eight principles for a national action plan. Key demands include the significant expansion of emotional and therapeutic services in schools, and the training of educational staff, guides, parents, and youth to detect early signs of distress.
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Establishment of a uniform national protocol for handling violent incidents and ensuring continuous treatment.
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Increased presence of significant adults in spaces where youth spend time, including nightlife hubs and the digital sphere.
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Enhanced police enforcement alongside the integration of tolerance and empathy education into the mandatory curriculum.
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Appointment of a central government official to coordinate activities between the education, welfare, and enforcement systems.
