National Forum Launched to Combat Bullying and Boycotts Among Israeli Youth

A new National Forum to Combat Boycotts and Bullying, under the auspices of the President's Residence, was launched in Israel at the start of the school year. This initiative unites representatives from government ministries, local authorities, civil society organizations, and major corporations with a unified message: boycotts and bullying are unacceptable.

The forum's launch comes amid alarming statistics, revealing that one in three children and teenagers in Israel report experiencing social boycotts or rejection, and a third have been exposed to violence or bullying. The National Bureau for the Protection of Children Online has also noted a significant increase in reported incidents.

President Isaac Herzog declared the situation a "national emergency," urging public participation in the campaign. The initiative aims to reach children, teenagers, and parents through schools, social media, media outlets, public transportation, and public spaces. A key focus is on engaging bystanders, those who witness or know about bullying but remain silent, to change the norm of indifference.

The forum has established a dedicated website, "It's On Us," which centralizes resources and professional support for children, teenagers, parents, and educators. The website provides information, tools, and contact methods tailored to individual needs.

President Herzog emphasized the urgency, stating, "We are in a national emergency and I call on every one of you in Israel to take part in the national effort to combat boycotts and bullying among children and youth." He highlighted the alarming rise in severe cases of bullying and boycotts, necessitating a collective response. The forum, he explained, brings together all professional bodies from all sectors to streamline support and eradicate the phenomenon.

Eyal Shviki, Director General of the President's Residence and Chairman of the National Forum, described the initiative as a "civilian draft number 8," underscoring the shared responsibility. He cited the "shocking data" that one in three Israeli children experience boycotts or are harmed by bullying and violence as a clear emergency requiring a deep cultural shift in discourse and norms in Israel.

The forum includes partners from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Welfare, National Security Ministry, the National Parents' Association, the National Students' Council, youth movements, and pre-military academies.