One in Three Israeli Children Experience Social Exclusion, President Declares Emergency

One in every three children and teenagers in Israel reports experiencing social exclusion or ostracism, according to a new initiative launched by the President's National Forum. The forum is rolling out a public campaign, starting Thursday, under the slogan "Exclusion and Bullying Are a Red Line." The campaign aims to draw attention to the bystanders, those who witness or are aware of such incidents, and encourage them to intervene safely by offering support, sharing information, and reporting problems.

President Isaac Herzog stated, "The 'Red Line' campaign is a joint statement from all of us. When we see an incident of violence, or the beginning of exclusion, or a child left alone, we must not ignore it. Intervene! Yes, intervene for the good. It is everyone's responsibility, it is on us!"

The initiative seeks to shift the norm where witnessing such behavior is considered "not my business." It emphasizes providing safe avenues for bystanders, particularly children, to become part of the solution without placing the sole burden of dealing with dangerous situations on them.

The National Forum includes professionals from government ministries, the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, the National Parents' Association, the National Youth Council, pre-military academies, youth movements, and various non-profit and civil society organizations. The business sector has also joined, with major corporations, tech companies, and media organizations participating.

A dedicated website, "It's On Us," has been established to centralize resources and information from all relevant professional bodies. This site will serve as a single point of access for children, teenagers, parents, educators, and witnesses, offering tools and guidance on how to respond and whom to contact based on specific needs.