Since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 19,900 girls and boys in Israel have been defined as victims of terrorism, according to the Kan 11 evening news. The data, based on a study by the National Institute for Health Policy Research, paint a harsh picture of the effects of the war on Israel's future generation.
Of the shocking numbers, 1,873 children suffer from physical or mental disabilities as a direct result of various attacks, in addition, 1,014 children have lost a brother or sister, 870 have been orphaned by one of their parents, and 23 children have been orphaned by both parents.
Physicians who participated in a recent seminar, led by Prof. Gil Salzman of Ben-Gurion University, described a situation of ongoing collective trauma among children and youth in Israel. "The most important thing in the treatment of children and children is the continuity of care and skilled therapists," emphasized Prof. Salzman, while calling for the improvement of the existing therapeutic systems.
Many orphans who joined the circle of bereavement had to deal with gaps in rights, which led to a significant change in legislation. Last week, the Knesset approved in its second and third readings a bill aimed at providing a broad economic envelope to orphaned children of fallen IDF soldiers and victims of hostilities, regardless of the marital status of their parents.
Until the new legislation, orphans who lost a divorced parent faced economic discrimination compared to children whose parents were married. This change is intended to ensure equality and provide significant support to the only parent left to deal with the financial and emotional burden of raising children.
* Bihadrei Haredim contributed to this article.
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