One out of every four Israelis lives in poverty, but an Israeli non-profit is working to reverse this statistic.
Eli Cohen, CEO of Pitchon Peh, an apolitical not-for-profit organization, seeks to end the cycle of poverty and hold the government accountable for ensuring all Israelis have an adequate livelihood.
In an interview with the Magazine, Cohen said the 20% figure for poverty in Israel was taken before the war, and since then it has been most likely higher.
He estimates that in ultra-orthodox and Arab populations, the poverty rate is most likely 30% or higher.
With food prices increasing 30-50% since the beginning of the war and the wide taxation gap between salaried workers and companies, PItchon Peh, which means “opening one’s mouth” to fight for rights, seeks government involvement to improve the lives of Israeli citizens.
Pitchon Peh is currently lobbying the government to create a national authority to fight poverty for the first time in Israel’s history.
“The first reading of the bill in the Knesset has already passed, and we’re preparing to get it through the second and third readings” so that it will become law,” said Cohen.
Pitchon Peh implements short-term solutions, such as distributing food parcels, as well as long-term strategies, such as vocational guidance and educational assistance.
