Israel Boosts Security for Social Welfare Staff in Arab Municipalities

Israel's Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, in collaboration with the Local Government Center, the Social Workers' Union, and the Forum of Social Welfare Department Directors in Arab Local Authorities, has significantly increased funding for the protection of social welfare employees. This initiative, spanning the last five years, follows documented cases of severe violence against staff in social welfare offices across the country.

An annual budget of 26.3 million shekels has been allocated for the protection of social workers in Arab local authorities. The program, aimed at combating violence against these essential workers, has seen a 67% increase in its annual budget since 2021. In 2026, the security and protection budget for welfare offices reached approximately 26.2 million shekels, a substantial rise from 15 million shekels in 2021. The ministry has dedicated 124 million shekels to 97 Arab towns for advanced security and protection measures.

These measures include sophisticated security systems, panic buttons, fortified rooms, funding for security guards, advanced technological systems, surveillance cameras, and the construction of safe rooms. The budget for security protection in Arab local authority social welfare departments has doubled to 15 million shekels this year. The allocation for mixed cities and towns has also increased from 4.5 million shekels in 2021 to about 10 million shekels currently.

Minister of Welfare and Social Security Haim Katz stated that any assault on social welfare employees is taken very seriously, emphasizing their crucial role. He affirmed the ministry's commitment to continued investment in staff protection, expressing hope for a future where such measures are unnecessary. Director General of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security Yinon Aharoni pledged to continue directing significant resources to Arab communities and mixed cities to support staff, ensuring they can perform their duties professionally without fear. He stressed the ministry's zero-tolerance policy towards violence and threats against those dedicated to saving lives.