Shalom  
 
The demographic threat posed by the Arab birthrate in Israel has largely dissipated in recent years. At the same time however, another demographic danger has arisen in its place. The rate of Israel's population growth and its aging population are now threatening the country's continued economic development. In a study published this month, Yaakov Feitelson set out to examine the truth behind this premise.
 
The period between the High Holidays and Hanukkah is in low gear on the Jewish calendar. However, at the IZS, it marks the kick-off of our year-long programs. Wish us luck!
 
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Warnings of a demographic threat have been periodically issued in Israel in recent years. This time however, the concerns are not of the risk of an Arab majority but rather, of extreme over-population… in the Jewish sector of the population!
 
The demographer, Yakov Faitelson has conducted a study which refutes these fears. Here are the main findings:  
Since 1960, there has been an increase in the ratio between the population aged 65 and upwards and that of working age (15-64), both in Israel and in the other member countries of the OECD. The significance of this change is a growth of the aging population in relation to the productive population. From 2020, this ratio in Israel is expected to be the lowest of all OECD member countries.

Further, Israel's population is younger than that of most OECD member countries. According to the organization's official forecast, Israel is expected to have the largest population in the 20-34 age group of all OECD member countries by 2050. 
Continued growth in the overall fertility in Israel will indeed lead to an increase in population density, but it isn't necessarily a bad thing. The study reveals that it is specifically those densely populated cities that frequently possess high standards of living. For example, Bnei Brak – Israel's most densely populated city – is in fourth place in standard of living while Beersheba, the city with the lowest level of population density, is graded in only 12th place (of Israel's 14 largest cities).

This is also true at the national level: Israel is in 19th place in the Human Development Index, behind countries with a higher population density – such as Singapore (6th place) or South Korea (18th). 
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The best response to population density is prudent policy that invests in development of infrastructure and technologies aimed at the efficient running of crowded cities.

The growth in the population of the Jewish state will not continue unabated and, like the world's other countries, Israel too will reach a stage of sustainable equilibrium at which the size of the population will gradually adjust itself to the ecological niche's capability to supply the population's physical needs.
Until then, it can be expected with a reasonable degree of certainty that Israel may benefit from its increased population and resultant economic growth.  

Blue&White Human Rights

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We have set out! After several months of preparation, we launched our East Jerusalem initiatives this month. Under the auspices of the Zur Baher community center, our students will head three projects that aim to increase accessibility to municipal and state services via translation and individual counselling. We will also begin teaching Hebrew and leading various other community projects while continuing with our 'Crossings' Program from previous years. 
We believe that development of East Jerusalem is a central factor vital in bridging the existing disparities which hinder the integration of local residents. 
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Another East Jerusalem issue dealt with this month is the abduction of a city resident by the Palestinian Authority. Approximately a month ago, Issam Akel was suspected of the serious crime of selling property to Jews (for which he is liable to face the death penalty) and was summoned for interrogation in Ramallah, a summons from which he never returned. 
Following his disappearance and the vicious incitement against his family and other suspects, the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee held a special session at which we emphasized the dire reality of the PA cellars and the human significance of detaining Akel in such conditions.   

The Institute in the Media

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  • The Walla news website covered the special session of the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee called to discuss the abducted East Jerusalem resident, including the address delivered by Nave Dromi, Director of 'Blue and White Human Rights.
  • Miri Shalem analyzed the results of the Beit Shemesh municipal elections and this historic victory of Aliza Bloch on Kan's 'Cafe Gibraltar' program. 

Publications

The following articles were published by members of the Institute and contain references to a wide range of issues on the public agenda:
 
  • [English] Institute Chairman, Dr. Yoaz Hendel, warns: the divide between the US Jewry and Israek is worsening  (Yediot Aharonot).
  • Institute CEO, Miri Shalem, recalls the long campaign to reelect a Zionist mayor in Beit Shemesh (Makor Rishon).
  • [English] Founding Chairman of the Institute, Yisrael Harel, calls on American Jews to make aliya to Israel (Ha'aretz).
  • Director of the 'Blue and White Human Rights' Program, Nave Dromi, describes the internal intellectual conflicts plaguing the left wing in the Trump era (Ha'aretz).
 
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