MembersA Modern Problem Demanding a Biblical Response

A nation is judged by how it treats the weak. A Messianic reaction to the state of disabled persons in Israel

By Arthur Schwartzman |
Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

I was saddened by the words of Oren Helman, founder of the “Equal Chance” initiative, in the daily newspaper Ma’ariv this weekend: “We mark awareness week for the rights of people with disabilities, and the situation in Israel is, how do you say, is not like anything.” Some of the numbers he tells us about are worrisome, and they call us to sincere thought and prayer regarding these issues in Israel.

December 3rd marked the International Day for Persons With Disabilities, and many media outlets in Israel found it their duty, this week, to raise awareness on the subject of integration of said persons into society and the workforce. Many stories are encouraging, they warm our hearts as we read them, but a recent poll among Israelis found that 48% of the public would not agree to live alongside a person with a mental disability or autism; 61% would not agree to rent them an apartment; and more than 40% of teens prefer to avoid being close to peers with disabilities.

Israel passed a law that...

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