Former Welfare Ministry official joins Yashar!, Eisenkot vows post-war trauma rehabilitation plan

The opposition party Yashar!, led by Gadi Eisenkot, has bolstered its ranks with the addition of Inbar Yehezkeli, a former official from the Welfare and Social Affairs Ministry. Yehezkeli, who will spearhead Yashar!'s "national rehabilitation plan," brings a wealth of experience in social issues and government administration. Her appointment signals the party's commitment to tackling the profound mental health challenges confronting Israel in the wake of the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war.

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The goal is to restore individuals impacted by the war to full functioning

Yashar! has identified the post-trauma crisis as an "unprecedented" challenge, necessitating an urgent and improved response. The party's platform emphasizes the establishment of a comprehensive, accessible mental-health treatment system designed to help individuals affected by the war regain full functioning. This initiative includes a focus on building resilience and implementing community-based care, recognizing that the path to recovery extends beyond individual therapy.

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This will be accompanied by efforts to build resilience and implement preventive and community-based care

Yehezkeli, with her extensive background in social welfare, including roles in reducing disparities for vulnerable populations and combating violence, is well-positioned to lead this critical effort. Her own words highlight the urgency, stating that "the time has come to rebuild and repair" Israeli society, particularly in light of the tens of thousands added to the cycle of trauma. From an Israeli perspective, addressing this widespread trauma is not merely a social issue but a matter of national security and societal cohesion. The scale of suffering demands a robust, government-led response, and Yashar!'s focus on rehabilitation and resilience aims to provide that.

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Now, precisely in light of the events of recent years and following the most difficult war we have ever known, the time has come to rebuild and repair