Runaway inflation, the Iron Swords War, and economic instability have all exacerbated existing hunger and poverty in the State of Israel. Despite the Developed Country status of the Holy Land, over 20% of the overall population, nearly 28% of all children, and about 13% of all seniors in Israel live below the poverty line. The current federal government of Israel recently empowered the National Council for Food Security and mandated itself to be held accountable for resolving this serious national problem.
In a recent session of Knesset—the parliament of Israel—members from opposing Shas (Haredi; ultra-Orthodox), Democrat, and the Hadash-Ta’al Coalition (Left, Far Left, Communist) Parties have collaborated to draft and pass a bill legislating into existence a national authority that will “reduce poverty, prevent its deepening, and rescue people from poverty, all to advance the right of every person for an honorable existence.”
This law would go into effect by October 2025, and the budget to launch this new directorate will be nearly three million USD. The forenamed political parties will fund the initiation and maintenance of the national authority. It will devise and implement annual and multi-year plans to “prevent and combat poverty, establish a national center for information and research on poverty, coordinate government ministries and local authorities, and overssee and regulate food distribution.”
The Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs will appoint 29 MKs (members of Knesset) to the national authority, and they will set its policies, work plans, and timelines. This move has already received pushback from certain interest groups such as other Haredi parties who fear that it may dilute the food security measures already in place for impoverished ultra-Orthodox Jewish families.
Pray for the fair, just, and equitable distribution of food where it is most lacking in Israel. Pray that those who hunger for physical food would also receive the spiritual food that only Jesus Christ can provide.
Read more in Jerusalem Post. Click here.
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