According to the nationwide L’Tet Organization, a non-profit addressing the growing number of poor in Israel, 36% of Israelis classified as living under the poverty level live with daily hunger. Perhaps more alarming, 20% of the same category has contemplated suicide as a result of their alarming daily realities.

L’Tet accuses the government of turning a blind eye, not doing enough to really address the growing problem, adding that today, with less work available; the situation may continue to deteriorate. In addition, there is a relatively large number of ‘working poor’, people who work but just do not earn enough to maintain a proper lifestyle.

In 2008, the average monthly wage for people receiving assistance was NIS 3,134, less than $800, by far not enough to cover basic living expenses. There are just too many low-paying jobs the report explains, as well as the fact there are not enough fulltime jobs to address the growing number of people seeking assistance.

Children of poor families in 70% of cases are unable to take part in school trips and other activities. Only 18% of these families can afford schools for their children and 87% cannot pay for any additional tutoring or assistance. Over one-half of the poor families do not receive adequate medical care and 62% no longer can afford health insurance. Less than 10% can pay for dental care, while 18% are listed as chronically ill. An alarming 10% report they know someone who has died as a result of their inability to pay for medical care.

L’Tet Chairman Gilles Darmon warns 2009 will be a most difficult year, with close to 60% of assistance organizations reporting a significant drop in funding in 2008. While the poor becoming poorer he explains, the amount of aid that his and other organizations are capable of giving is less due to the drop in donations and government assistance.

The annual report is based on responses from 500 ‘poor’ people and 500 people from the general public, providing a cross-section of the populations for comparison. Information for the report was amassed from 120 assistance organizations operating in 80 cities and municipalities.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)