Roy Goldenberg recently reported that one third of Israeli children live in poverty. I include an excerpt:
The National Insurance Institute Poverty Report for 2006 states that Israel had 1,649,800 persons living below the poverty line. The proportion of poor persons was unchanged from 2005, when there were 1,630,500 poor.
The proportion of children living below the poverty line rose to 796,100 in 2006 from 768,800 in 2005, although the proportion was unchanged at more than one third of all children. The proportion of children in poverty has risen 60% since 1998.
Of course, non-Israeli Palestinian children also live in shocking rates of poverty. In addition to poverty, these children of both groups often have to face violence and terrorism, especially since both groups often target civilians. Unsurprisingly, these children grow up angry and otherwise distressed, which can lead to more violence and poverty.
Of course, the governments and leaders involved spend billions of dollars on war, while this poverty rages.
The United States gives billions of dollars to Israel for military purposes. If the United States wants to give its taxpayers money away, I suggest that this money go to feed hungry children rather than to war.
I doubt that we will ever resolve poverty while warfare continues, and I doubt we will stop warfare while land remains divided. We need to find a way to allow all people, regardless of race and religion, to move in and out of any country or region and get jobs and housing. So long as land remains divided and certain races or religions get excluded, people will fight over the land and the divisions.
I hope for better days for the poor Israeli and Palestinian children.