On the way to forming the government: the crisis awaiting the new minister

As coalition negotiations advance, the Welfare Ministry portfolio is expected to be a key issue. Civil society organizations are presenting urgent challenges for the incoming minister: domestic violence, a youth crisis, a shortage of social workers, and services for people with disabilities. The CEO of WIZO calls for a shift to preventive policy, and the Forum to Combat Poverty demands funding for food security.

Against the backdrop of coalition negotiations to form the government, the Welfare Ministry portfolio is expected to be a central topic. The incoming minister will inherit a system burdened by ongoing crises that have worsened during the war: a shortage of social workers, heavy caseloads, and increased treatment needs. Civil society organizations have set a clear agenda: Marcel Assouline, CEO of WIZO Global, points to the epidemic of domestic violence and calls for a shift to preventive policy. Lior Shmueli, CEO of Elem, warns that over half of youth have been exposed to violence, and reports of online violence have surged by 135%. Sigal Peretz Yahalomi, CEO of Akim Israel, warns of difficulties in implementing the Welfare Services Law for people with disabilities. The Forum to Combat Poverty demands allocating 300 million shekels for food security in the 2027 budget, arguing that failure to address this costs the health system 5.8 billion shekels annually. The article notes that the identity of the minister depends on the coalition makeup: in a change government, the names of Merav Cohen, Adi Altshuler, and Naama Lazimi are raised, while in a unity government with the Netanyahu bloc, the portfolio may go to the Haredi parties.