National Emergency Declared Over Child Bullying and Exclusion Crisis

In response to alarming statistics revealing that one in three children in Israel experiences bullying or social exclusion, a broad national initiative has been launched to combat these issues. The campaign, commencing at the start of the school year, is spearheaded by government bodies and aims to address the pervasive problem of bullying, exclusion, and violence among children and teenagers.

The initiative is being undertaken due to data indicating that a significant portion of Israeli youth have faced either social ostracism or physical/verbal aggression. Furthermore, there has been a notable surge in incidents handled by the National Bureau for the Protection of Children Online in the past year.

President Isaac Herzog has characterized the situation as a "national emergency," urging all Israelis to participate in the campaign. He established the National Forum for Combating Exclusion and Bullying under the auspices of the President's Residence, uniting professionals from various sectors to streamline responses and implement unprecedented measures to eradicate the phenomenon. "When we see a case 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 President stated, emphasizing the collective duty to act.

As part of the campaign, a new website named "It's On Us" has been launched. This platform serves as a central hub for information, tools, and resources for children, teenagers, parents, and educators. The campaign will also be visible in schools, on social media, public transportation, shopping centers, and in the media, encouraging support, reporting, and intervention when instances of bullying or exclusion occur.