According to an annual report, one out of every three children in Israel lives below the poverty line, an increase of almost 3 percent over last year. The report by the National Council for the Child was presented to President Moshe Katsav. In 2004, children comprised 33.3 percent of Israel’s population. Katsav said that the data showed a failure on the part of the state, society and the family to protect the nation’s children. “This is our most basic duty, and we must commit all possible resources to protecting our children,” he said.