This report presents an overview of child policy in Israel. It covers a wide range of services and
policies that are intended to further the wellbeing of children in Israel or that have an impact upon the
wellbeing of children, including the fields of education, health, cash transfers, taxation and personal social
services. In addition, the labour market and policies linked to work and family reconciliation are discussed.
The report also offers a brief overview of the context in which these policies and services developed, and
their consequences, with a special emphasis on child poverty. This is due to the unusually high level of
poverty among children in Israel. The report concludes with a discussion of the factors that have an impact
upon the degree of effectiveness of child policies in Israel or, in the case of child poverty, upon their
limited effectiveness. This discussion is followed by a number of policy recommendations intended to help
policies and services to improve children’s wellbeing in Israeli society.
