Statement on Today’s Horrific Attacks on Israel

Supporting evacuees: Daycare and programs for traumatized children and youth are desperately needed for families who have been evacuated from Gaza border communities under attack to Dead Sea Hotels, our boarding school in Mitzpe Ramon, and more.

Youth counselors in bomb shelters: In underprivileged communities where people don’t have safe rooms in their homes, our experienced youth educators are running therapeutic and educational programs for children and families in Rehovot and Ashkelon, with more locations opening as soon as deemed safe.

Daycare for children of hospital workers and other essential staff: We are currently fielding requests from hospitals throughout Israel to set up daycare centers for children of doctors, nurses, and staff so they can treat the injured while schools are closed.

Support for children and families sheltering in place: We are providing in-person and online programming and distributing activity kits and other educational materials in Sderot, Ashkelon, Rehovot, and more.

Basic care for the most vulnerable groups: While the country reels from this attack, we must make sure that no communities are left behind. Families in the kibbutzim near the Gaza Border are still not reunited and may not have the access to care that they need. A number of Bedouin citizens from unrecognized villages in the South have been killed and many more injured. With very little infrastructure – including very few bomb shelters—and decades of neglect by consecutive governments, this community needs urgent support to ensure that basic care is available for those injured, left homeless, and for those needing arrangements for the dead. These are just examples of two vulnerable groups that need our help right now.

Combating violent speech and incitement online: Ever since news of the attack first broke, right-wing extremists have been calling for revenge and attempting to escalate an already dangerous episode by inciting hatred and fomenting violence in mixed Arab-Jewish cities and towns throughout the country. Learning from past experiences, we know how quickly and easily these kinds of inciting messages can spread and lead to conflicts and conflagrations on the ground. We need to help de-escalate, de-platform and disempower these voices online.

Preventing inter-communal violence in mixed cities: Through focused efforts with municipalities, the media, and local grassroots leaders, we have to work to prevent the spread of violence into mixed Arab and Jewish cities.

Mental health and trauma counseling: We know that yesterday was among the most terrifying and traumatizing days for Israelis in recent memory. People are shocked and reeling and we know that when that shock begins to fade, there will be a massive need for trauma counseling and mental health support for many, including civil society leaders, who will need to show up for their communities and lead long-term efforts even as they deal with their own trauma.