A black hole of billions in health and education: NGOs threaten - "We will no longer replace the state"

23 civil society organizations have called on party leaders to commit to a multi-year plan to increase public spending in welfare, health, and education, against a backdrop of a gap of approximately 205 billion shekels per year compared to OECD countries. The organizations argue they can no longer replace the state.

23 civil society organizations, including Latet, Na'amat, Patachon Lev, the Union of Social Workers, and the Adva Center, have called on party leaders to commit to a multi-year plan to increase public spending in welfare, health, and education. The appeal, initiated by the Centers for Social Justice and the Arlozorov Forum, comes against the backdrop of a gap in civilian spending between Israel and OECD countries, which according to the organizations' calculation stands at approximately 205 billion shekels per year. The organizations argue that after adjusting for defense spending, a gap of about 89 billion shekels remains, including about 50 billion in welfare, about 32 billion in education, and about 13 billion in health. The letter states that the events of October 7 and the war highlighted the cost of unprepared public systems, and that civil society cannot and should not replace the state. The organizations demand that the plan be anchored in the guidelines of the next government and in coalition agreements.

A black hole of billions in health and education: NGOs threaten - "We will no longer replace the state"