Acting National Insurance CEO Faces Backlash Over Autism Comments Amid Broader Disability Inclusion Challenges in Israel

Recently, a controversy arose after the acting CEO of Israel's National Insurance Institute, Tzvika Cohen, blamed the rise in autism diagnoses on parents allegedly seeking to exploit public funds by "inventing" the condition. This sparked outrage among parents on social media, demanding his dismissal. However, the article argues that the real financial strain on the National Insurance Fund stems from government withdrawals exceeding 200 billion shekels over the past decade, not autism-related costs.

The author, autistic IDF officer Captain Udi Heller, recounts personal experiences of discrimination and bureaucratic challenges, including skepticism from a Shin Bet psychiatrist about his autism diagnosis during a security clearance update. Heller highlights the systemic neglect and poor services for people with disabilities in Israel, from welfare to military inclusion, and criticizes the outsourcing of care to nonprofits as inadequate.

Despite a higher autism diagnosis rate in Israel, partly due to the country's birth rate being double the OECD average, the government fails to implement a national plan for autistic individuals' success. Heller praises the "Titchadmu" program he founded, which supports autistic recruits in the IDF, as a global pioneer in inclusive military service. Yet, recent military policies have introduced segregation between autistic soldiers with different profiles, often limiting their career opportunities and security clearances.

This leads to underreporting of autism diagnoses by parents fearing state repercussions and pressures on autistic youth to conceal their condition to fit in, risking their well-being. Heller warns that without a comprehensive strategy for inclusion, the state perpetuates discrimination and undermines the potential contributions of autistic citizens. He concludes with a personal declaration of pride in his identity and a call for societal change to protect and empower vulnerable populations in Israel.

Summary: Acting National Insurance CEO Tzvika Cohen sparked outrage by accusing parents of faking autism diagnoses to exploit funds. Autistic IDF officer Udi Heller responds, exposing systemic discrimination and calling for better inclusion policies. Despite Israel's high autism rates, government neglect and military segregation hinder autistic individuals' integration and rights.

Points: - Acting CEO Tzvika Cohen blamed parents for rising autism diagnoses, causing public backlash. - Government withdrawals, not autism costs, threaten National Insurance Fund's solvency. - Autistic IDF officer Udi Heller details personal discrimination and bureaucratic hurdles. - Israel's high autism rate linked to birth rate, yet lacks national support programs. - "Titchadmu" program pioneers autistic military recruitment but faces new segregation policies. - Underreporting and concealment of autism risk autistic youths' health and rights.

Topic: politics

Entities: {"people":["Tzvika Cohen","Udi Heller","David Zini","Hans Asperger"],"organizations":["National Insurance Institute","IDF","Shin Bet","Titchadmu Program","State Comptroller"],"places":["Israel","Lebanon","Northern Israel"]}