The Zionist Vision in Danger – Ignoring the Young Adult Crisis Will Have Severe Consequences for Decades to Come

In recent weeks, a new report from the National Council for the Child was published, presenting a grim picture of the distress of children and youth in Israel, as a direct and indirect result of the consequences of the "Iron Swords" war, mass evacuations from the south and north, and a deteriorating economic reality: 36 children were murdered in one day, there has been a 25% increase in suicide attempts by children up to age 9, and a threefold increase in the number of orphans under 18, and these are just some of the statistics. Alongside the difficult data in this report, additional reports reinforce the concerning trend: a significant increase in the number of children living below the poverty line, severe psychological and social impacts, and a sense of instability shaking an entire generation.

The new data indicates that the crisis is even more severe than we feared. The rate of children and youth experiencing anxiety, depression, and feelings of social disconnect is sharply rising. Children who were evacuated from their homes due to the war or experienced family loss are dealing with a reality where they no longer have stable anchors. The feeling of abandonment and uncertainty harms their emotional development, and sometimes even leads to developmental regression, behavioral problems, and even suicide attempts.

Additionally, data from the aid organization "Pitchon Lev" reveals alarming statistics about the expansion of poverty among children. The economic consequences of the war have plunged entire families into food insecurity, and many children are not receiving regular meals. This situation damages both their physical health and their ability to concentrate on studies and social connections, creating unbridgeable gaps between them and their peers from more established families. If that weren't enough, the decrease in welfare and education budgets is leading to the collapse of the most basic support systems, leaving children more vulnerable to exposure to risk situations and violence.

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Beyond the physical and economic aspects, the current situation exposes Israel's future generation to long-term social dangers. The National Council for the Child's report recently presented to international bodies indicates that many Israeli children and youth are experiencing post-trauma, which makes it difficult for them to reintegrate into educational systems and social life. Children who experienced terror events up close, or who were exposed to violence and security instability, struggle to develop trust in their environment and in the adults who are supposed to protect them. Many express deep existential fears, which affect their behavioral patterns and will likely accompany them for many years to come.

This reality is not inevitable. Solutions exist, but they require a systematic and comprehensive approach.

Educators at a Village Way Educational Initiatives seminar.

Amid this national emergency, Village Way Educational Initiatives (VWEI) is offering a model of healing and resilience. Working across more than 80 educational communities and reaching over 51,000 at-risk youth, VWEI provides a proven, values-based approach that addresses exactly the challenges outlined in this report. Through its emphasis on emotional healing, community belonging, and reliable adult mentorship, the Village Way helps children move from trauma to strength. In schools affected by the October 7 attacks, VWEI facilitators are working hand-in-hand with educators to support newly displaced students and those coping with post-trauma. This work is not only about recovery, it is about empowering Israel’s most vulnerable youth to reclaim a sense of purpose and hope, ensuring they are not left behind.

We cannot be satisfied with short-term and immediate responses alone, but must work to create in-depth programs for social, emotional, and economic rehabilitation of the young generation. Now, with the state budget already approved, there are no more excuses and there is a need for massive investment: investment in physical, educational, and cultural rehabilitation of communities in the north and south of the country to which evacuated families are gradually returning, investment in mental health services, in expanding psychological support systems in schools, investment in educational staff and in restoring budgets for helplines for children in distress. Additionally, the state must initiate programs for the economic rehabilitation of vulnerable families and ensure that every child in Israel receives the basic conditions they deserve including proper education, food security, and emotional support.

The State of Israel stands at a critical junction. Ignoring the current crisis will create severe consequences for the coming decades. The young generation that is suffering today may become an adult generation that has lost faith in society, in state systems, and in its ability to fulfill its future. The fact that the Israeli government has recently decided to establish a national authority to combat poverty is encouraging and represents a first step in the right direction, and decision-makers must ensure that the establishment of this authority does not remain just an empty statement but a meaningful and genuine tool for leading real change. We are in a state of national emergency.