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 with the start of the school year, is spearheaded by government entities and aims to address the pervasive problem of bullying and violence among children and adolescents.

President Isaac Herzog has declared the situation a "national emergency," urging all Israelis to participate in the nationwide effort. He highlighted a disturbing rise in severe bullying and exclusion cases in recent years, emphasizing the need for collective action to establish a clear boundary against such behavior. To this end, the President's office established the National Forum to Combat Bullying and Exclusion, uniting professionals from all sectors to streamline support systems and implement unprecedented measures to eradicate the phenomenon.

The campaign, titled 'Red Line,' encourages intervention when witnessing acts of violence, the beginnings of social exclusion, or a child left alone. "Intervene! Yes, intervene for the better. It is everyone's responsibility," President Herzog stated, underscoring the shared duty to act.

As part of the initiative, a new website called 'It's On Us' has been launched, serving as a central resource for information, tools, and support 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 to promote support, reporting, and intervention in cases of bullying and exclusion.