Ahead of the elections: demand for a plan against the wave of violence among youth

Ahead of the elections for the 26th Knesset, the National Parents' Association, the National Student and Youth Council, and the Elem Association are launching a joint initiative calling for a national plan against violence, bullying, and mental distress among youth. The three bodies have formulated a document containing eight principles for a multi-year work plan, including expanding emotional services in schools, training educational staff and parents for early identification of distress, establishing a uniform national procedure for violent incidents, and increasing adult presence in youth spaces. The initiative was born against the backdrop of the upheavals that Israeli children have experienced in recent years, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the war. The organizations demand the appointment of a central governmental body to coordinate activities between the education, welfare, and enforcement systems.