Israeli Report Reveals Gaps in HIV Fight with Over 10% Unaware of Infection
A new report by the Knesset Research and Information Center highlights significant shortcomings in Israel's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, revealing that at least one in ten carriers are unaware of their infection. Presented during the inaugural meeting of a new parliamentary caucus dedicated to eradicating infectious diseases, the report criticizes the Ministry of Health for lacking comprehensive data on HIV testing and relying on outdated guidelines that have not been updated for over a decade.
As of the end of 2024, Israel had 12,317 registered HIV/AIDS carriers, with 9,064 living in the country after accounting for deaths and emigration. Most carriers are men aged 45 to 54. The Ministry of Health estimates that only 88% to 90% of carriers have been diagnosed, suggesting hundreds remain undetected. In 2024, 305 new HIV cases and 12 new AIDS cases were reported, the lowest since 2015.
The report also reveals that the Ministry of Health does not have data on the total number of HIV screening tests conducted nationwide, despite regulations requiring monthly reporting from laboratories. Data from four major hospitals affiliated with Clalit Health Services show a 45% increase in initial HIV tests from 2018 to 2025, with an average positive rate of 0.067%. Other health funds also report rising testing numbers, though some data remain unavailable.
Israel is falling short of the United Nations' UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for 2020, which aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals to receive treatment, and 95% of those treated to achieve viral suppression. The Ministry lacks data on treatment coverage and viral suppression rates, as these are held by AIDS centers and health funds without a centralized reporting mechanism. The Ministry acknowledges dissatisfaction with this data gap and plans to establish a system to consolidate information.
The report and parliamentary caucus, initiated by MK Tatiana Mazarsky (Yesh Atid) in cooperation with the AIDS Fighting Committee, call for a national strategy aligned with UNAIDS goals. Mazarsky emphasized the preventability of infectious diseases and the need for a coordinated policy. George Avni, CEO of the AIDS Fighting Committee, stressed that stigma remains a major barrier despite available treatments and knowledge, urging national responsibility and cooperation across government systems to eradicate HIV in Israel.
