Distress grows - and no response: These are the parties that promise to address the welfare crisis

A 'Hayom' investigation reveals a severe crisis in welfare services: a 53% surge in unfilled positions, a 65% increase in domestic violence reports, and a critical shortage of staff in residential facilities. Ahead of the elections, various parties presented proposals, but Likud, Ra'am, and the Joint List refused to respond.

A 'Hayom' investigation reveals a severe crisis in Israel's welfare services, against the backdrop of a 53% increase in unfilled positions in social services departments, from 776 in 2022 to 1,185 today, according to a June 2026 State Comptroller report. Concurrently, the number of active welfare cases grew from approximately 479,000 to about 518,000. The ongoing war, rounds of security escalation, and the high cost of living are deepening economic, mental, and family distress. Welfare residential facilities are short 10%-15% of counselors, and domestic violence reports have surged by 65%. Ahead of the elections, the article approached the parties: The Democrats, Yisrael Beiteinu, Yashar!, Shas, Otzma Yehudit, and Together presented proposals, while Likud, Amcha Yisrael, the Reservists and the Economic Party, Religious Zionism, Ra'am, and the Joint List did not provide a response. The article notes that some proposals lack practical detail.