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Report: Needy children steal, dumpster dive to eat
Omri Efraim
Published: 16.12.13, 09:19
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29 Talkbacks for this article
1. If true:Revolution & barricades on the horizon! Marx will be
tom ,   tel aviv   (12.16.13)
announced the new Messiah and Mapai will once more be the sole Ruling Party! Ha'Tiqva replaced by "Internationale". Magen David Adom in more than one sense...
2. 64%???
EGGM ,   Petah Tikva, Israel   (12.16.13)
Something in these statistics are fishy. Either they surveyed an already poor population (and not the general public), or they worded the questions in a way that would be biased towards these results. "Basic necessities" are not defined in the article, but the statistic of 64% fundamentally doesn't make sense. For example, homeowners who are able to work and don't have mortgage to pay will not have a problem buying food, and I believe just that segment is above the 36% necessary to disrupt the statistic. In addition most working couples don't have any problem with food, unless you consider having, say, a car in Gush Dan a "basic necessity" in which case it distorts the picture greatly. I know there is poverty in Israel, and would like to see some real detailed statistics, but we shouldn't believe everything that is written automatically.
3. And Lapid dares taxing these people!
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (12.16.13)
Children go to bed without eating, in ISRAEL a Jewish land ? This can't be true !
4. 10% of children must steal inorder to eat
Al   (12.16.13)
Really...are you so dumb as to believe that anyone truly believes you. Absolute nonsense! If you want to make a living peddling as a schnorrer you better start taking lessons from the best.
5. To horrible to be true?
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (12.16.13)
Does the author have a political agenda? Must be checked !
6. Question
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (12.16.13)
Why, in the face of need in Israel, do we send tens of thousands of metric tons of food and humanitarian supplies to Gaza each week? Why doesn't the United Nations take care of the needs of Gazans? Why don't the twenty-two Arab states, some of which literally float on petroleum and have more money than they know what to do with -- there is, after all, a limit to the number of ostentatious palaces and foreign pieds-a-terre that one can purchase. I think Israel should see to the needs of Israelis before we worry about the needs of people sworn to the destruction of the State of Israel and the extermination of the Jewish people. And my definition of "worry" with respect to Gaza does NOT extend to feeding and succoring the Gazans. It's time we got our priorities straight. The United Nations has developed several very well-funded cottage industries dedicated to aiding the ersatz "Palestinians." It's time Israel sat back and told them to do their job. The extent of our consideration of Gazans should be limited to controlling their endless terror efforts. Someone else can feed, clothe them and provide them with fuel and fresh water. It is high time that we put an end to being the world's freyerim.
7. Nonsense
Ephraim ,   Jerusalem   (12.16.13)
Yes, we have a big problem here, but no, children are not rummaging through the garbage. Thanks to all the kind people who donate and those who work in the various organizations, no one is completely starving here. There is a lot more we can all do, and we need to keep giving, but using the idea that kids are eating from the floor and the garbage is disgusting, and just not true. I know many poor families that get help. Sometimes it is just vegetables, and other times it is dry goods, sometimes meat, etc., depending on the current budget of the charities. I want people to know that they must continue to give, but people also need to know that our children are not eating from the garbage, that is just patently untrue.
8. Should we give them fish or a fishnet?
Sharon ,   6 generation Israeli   (12.16.13)
Please continue this interesting topic with a discussion of the other half of the picture: poverty in Israel is a political commodity. The fact that whole sections of the population are being raised into ignorance serves their leaders well. By keeping theim outside the workmarket (note, only 15% are seeking a secod job...) these people remain dependent on their leaders who recruit donations from abroad in order to keep them just below the povery line. Isn't teaching people bibilical studies IN ADDITION to math, biology and chemistry (i.e. giving their chidren a rounded education) a better solution for the long run then giving them alms today?
9. 6# Answer
Tarbouche ,   aswan   (12.16.13)
Because Jews are meant to behave like human beings, not animals. Americans like Kahane are practically unhinged. Look in the mirror Girl and tell me if you believe you are sane. Irrespective of what is happening to the Syrian refugees, freezing to death dying from hunger, we try to show mercy . A genius like you could probably work out what would happen if we put Gaza under real siege.
10. And the king of Israel
David ,   On this planet   (12.16.13)
with BB and gang claim the Israeli economy is one of the best in the world. Maybe his and not the people. keep wasting money on Presidential birthdays, fancy ice creams and water pools while our kids starve
11. Answer to Sarah's question
Israeli   (12.16.13)
Because neither the UN nor the 22 Arab states are depossessing Palestinians from their land and human rights. That's why Israel has the duty to worry about them
12. #10 . David U R on planet zog; Beit Agozim
(12.16.13)
The Nuthouse ;
13. #3 Ora go tell your haredi pals to go get a job
Mia   (12.16.13)
And while they`re at it, stop having 12 kids and expect the Israeli tax payer to pay the bill while they sit on their holy backsides all day. Then we will see who really needs help.
14. #3 Time to wake up and smell the coffee,
simon ,   haifa israel   (12.16.13)
Ora. There is certainly poverty in and around Jerusalem. Just check out the ultra- orthodox areas, very sad. I live in Haifa and I can guarantee you that there are plenty of very poor people here. The myth that Israel is in great shape is believed by far too many people. True Hi-tech is not bad but with HP cutting back on staff again due to a huge slump in their sales maybe this too is not as good as we all like to think. Time for us all to get used to poverty around us and effecting us. Let's hope fewer people fall into the poverty trap than i think will.
15. There is a mistake in the article
Uri   (12.16.13)
The poll was only among families who are registered as getting financial support from the state's social services.
16. 13Mia Be sure ,the Haredi children..
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (12.16.13)
don't go hungry in bed. Haredim are an example of empathy and solidarity.They help each other and would give their last undershirt to feed hungry children. But ,of course you need a scapegoat .
17. # 13
David Oved ,   Haifa, Israel.   (12.16.13)
Yes of course you are right. All nooky and no work, what do they expect.
18. To: No. 9
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (12.16.13)
So, take care of Israel's needs first. Next, worry about the needs of starvation and deprivation in countries that do not wish Israel harm. Begs the question about whatever happened to the millions of dollars and the millions of euros that have poured into Hamas' coffers (courtesy of misguided Americans and dumb Europeans), not to mention the several billions that flow into Gaza from the United Nations. With all that cash floating around, it seems there is plenty on hand to care for the needs of Gazans. Why should Israel shoulder any portion of the burden? And don't raise the issue of "humanitarianism." That's not one you can win. How "humanitarian" is it to fire missiles and mortars into Israel? We feed and clothe them, provide them with fresh water and electricity, and they imbue their children with a vile hatred of the Jewish people and indoctrinate them that the State of Israel must be destroyed and the Jewish people exterminated. Too bad you are not a genius. Then, perhaps, you could explain why it is that Egypt has hermetically sealed its border with Gaza and turned a deaf ear to Gazan pleas. The Gazans are not screaming blood libel against the Egyptians; only against the Jewish State. So why aren't you doing more to help your fellow Arabs? Why should Israel feed and succor people bent on our destruction? We tried nice. It didn't work. Time to try some harsher measures, don't you think?
19. poverty
jj ,   montreal   (12.16.13)
When will people realize there is no such thing as child poverty. It is poverty period. These children are from poor families. There is family poverty, don't call it child poverty.
20. stop finger pointing investigate the whole picture
zionist forever   (12.16.13)
Who are the vast majority of those in poverty, what group do they come from and have these groups always been very poor or is it recent? Where do they live, some cities are rich & others are poor and rents vary. What is the education level of the adults and do they have jobs? If they have jobs is it minimum wage or are they jobs for the educated and professionals? How many of these problems have developed because of economic slowdown as a result of the global recession? If food prices are so high then why is that and is there anything that can be done to bring prices down? Its very easy to say its the fault of the government but reality is this problem always existed and has never been suitably addressed by either the left or right either because no government can find a solution or out of simple neglect.
21. Poverty
Oleg ,   Fort Lauderdale USA   (12.16.13)
Let Ofra Strauss and Sherri Arison take care of the poor. They made enough $$$ on the backs of the working class Israelis.
22. Real reflexion or just a publicity stunt
Alon   (12.16.13)
No study should be accepted uncritically and without journalists asking real questions as to methods.
23. shame on the governement !!!
michel ,   Ashkelon   (12.16.13)
24. Giving beats gripping
BUILD BABY BUILD ,   United States   (12.16.13)
It is better to give than to receive. So many children are hungry, not just Israeli's. If one can afford to give.. please do.. Those who are hungry will bless you and so will our G-d. BUILD AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR JEWS IN ISRAEL ALL OF ISRAEL !!!!
25. Starvation or no, the economy is sinking
On the way ,   tel aviv   (12.16.13)
I have been unemployed for a year. I am at an age considered unemployable. I cannot (and nobody can) live on "secured income". I am headed for hell, quite frankly, and now I believe that there are lots of people who've been just thrown to the dogs. Did I think this could happen to me? Never. Did I see, in the 1970s, beggars and people going through garbage bins to find food? Never. Potential immigrants: learn what I did. If you want to make a small fortune in Israel, come with a big one. And just wait until you encounter the greedy landlords and mean employers, not to mention the utter degradation of the National Insurance Institute. There are elderly people here with an appalling quality of life and who cares, all you who are denying the reality and sticking up for a head of government who is so detached he could be in the twilight zone?
26. Hareidim are NOT the problem
Yehoshua Gavriel ,   Milwaukee, USA   (12.16.13)
As an X Chassid (with a degree in Accounting/Finance from a major U.S. University) I can say that I tried desperately for 6 years in Israel to "get a job" to support my family... Unfortunately, I was met with nothing but contempt and derision from the non-religious Israeli business world. Forced to accept crumby sub-par employment from Hareidi employers my family and I eventually went broke and are now back in the US where my wife and I both have a fantastic jobs thank God... There are two sides to every story, only the non-religious side gets told in the media...
27. #26 - says it as it is
On the way ,   Tel Aviv   (12.17.13)
Disgusting apartments at prices most salaries today simply cannot cover, disgusting landlords, employers who treat people like garbage. I've not been paid for the one month I've just worked this year: not even an apology, just contempt. Stay where you are out there - unless you are madly idealistic and stinking rich.
28. Some fallacies about Israel's economy
Svetlana C. ,   Ramat Gan, Israel   (12.17.13)
1. "It's the occupation, stupid." In reality, "the occupation" actually bolsters Israel's economy. The NIS (New Israeli Shekel) remains the main currency used by some 2 millions Palestinians consumers who use mainly Israeli products and services. Settlements? The government of Israel collects a purchase tax on every new apartment/home built, regardless of whether it's in Raanana or Kiryat Arbah. Every new apartment built becomes a cash cow for the government (municipal taxes, utilities, maintenance...). 2. "It's those damn Haredim, stupid." In reality, most Haredim live in poverty and would not be able to survive on their Bituach Leumi (National Insurance) stipend alone. Hundreds of millions of dollars are brought into the country every year from anonymous do-gooders which help the Haredi community survive. 3. "It's the Israeli-Arabs, stupid." Wrong again. Actually, Israeli-Arabs remain the backbone of Israel's blue-collar workforce. If all the Israeli-Arabs went on strike tomorrow, Israel's economy would collapse. 4. "Our high-tech sector is the backbone of our economy". This may be true, but at the peak of the dot com bubble, only 165,000 Israelis were employed in high-tech. The exit strategy of most Israeli start-ups is an acquisition which invariably creates enormous wealth for the lucky company founders but also leave the rest of the workers unemployed and destitute. Half of the unemployed over 50 years old who once worked in high-tech remain unemployed 5 years later. 5. "America, our children are starving. We need your help!" Our poor are starving because Israel has one of the largest inequality rates in the developed world. Before you donate your money to any fund-raiser, ask to see their W-2 and the Form 990 of the organization they represent. Some "help-us-we're starving" 'non-profit' organizations are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars salary to each of their directors. High expense ratios ensure that the money never trickles down to those who need it most. 6. "I live in a small apartment in a suburb of Tel-Aviv on a modest government pension". Reality: The current value of a typical 4 room apartment in Ramat Gan is approximately $600,000USD. Many Israelis own more than one apartment. Rental property income is tax free up to 4950 NIS per month ($1,400USD). There is no such thing as 'rent control' laws in Israel. Landlords can charge as much rent as the market will bear. Pensions for government workers are typically 2 percent of their gross salary for every year worked. Army and Police can retire with a full pension after just 25 years of service. For Sarah B. who once wrote here that she spends her time shuttling between the US and Israel, the government just pass a law that will double your municipal taxes on your apartment in Israel since it's not occupied year-round. Sarah, thanks for your financial support! 7. "It's probably a good idea to keep a few dollars around just in case". Reality: The NIS gained 8% against the dollar in the last year and the TA-100 index is up 12% in the last 52 weeks (not nearly as good as the >27% gain on the S&P500.
29. 28 For all to read.Most interesting.
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (12.17.13)
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