The report shows that 24.1 percent of Israelis are currently living under the poverty line, up from 18.8 percent in 2000.
The report, which covers the first half of 2005, reveals that there are 403,000 poor families in Israel, representing 20.5 percent of the families in Israel - a figure that is up 9,000 families from last years report. Almost half of these families include at least one wage earner.
During Sharon's tenure as prime minister, the number of poor Israelis grew by 45 percent against an eight percent recorded growth in population. The poverty line, defined as half the median disposable income in Israel, has not changed by much in recent years. In 2000 it was NIS 1,753 per person per month, and has only risen to 1,804 or 5,411 for a family of five. -Haaretz- Jan. 23, 2006
Child poverty skyrockets
Troubling report: Israel is home to 738,000 poor children and teenagers; National Insurance Institute: Focus needed on children, elderly. Every third child is poor: Israel is home to about 738,000 poor children and teenagers, according to the annual poverty, released on Monday.
