During the debate, MK Ahmad Tibi (Joint Arab List) noted that the poverty rates in Israel are the highest among OECD states and said those who live beneath the poverty line are mainly children and the elderly. ”The State of Israel is the most unequal state in the west, and it is approaching the inequality levels of third world countries. We live in a country where people work the most hours and earn the least amount of money.”
MK Merav Michaeli (Zionist Camp-Labor) mentioned that 52% of the Arab-Israeli public and 54% of the ultra-Orthodox population live in poverty. She said human rights organizations are assisting these segments of the population ”because the government is not allocating funds for this.”
MK Meir Cohen (Yesh Atid) said the poverty rates ”lie on the country`s back like an open wound,” while MK Elie Elalouf (Kulanu) told the plenum that poverty ”is not a divine decree” and that ”the poor people of today are not only those who were born into poverty, but also those who deteriorated into it. Some of them work full time.”
”It is our duty to guarantee that there will be a significant security net for the citizens in education, welfare and suitable public housing. This must be done without populism or demagogery. Jewish values oblige us to care for those who cannot care for themselves, mainly the elderly and children,” he stated.
Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush (United Torah Judaism) said the war on poverty will begin ”when we will stop fighting families that are blessed with many children,” and MK Avi Dichter (Likud) said ”If we succeeded in getting 500,000 children out of the cycle of poverty over the past five years, then we are heading in the right direction.”