Summary
This silent phenomenon is particularly pervasive among those who, with extraordinary courage, choose to rebuild their lives in a foreign land
In Israel, an often overlooked yet deeply entrenched reality shapes the lives of many citizens—especially new immigrants: dependency on public institutions. This silent phenomenon is particularly pervasive among those who, with extraordinary courage, choose to rebuild their lives in a foreign land, one with a different language, culture, and social system.
At first glance, this dependency—especially on Bituach Leumi (the National Insurance Institute)—may appear as a welcome safety net. Benefits such as unemployment assistance (Dmei Havtala) or income support (Havtachat Hachnassa) are undeniably vital for newcomers who arrive with limited resources, no support network, and little stability. However, over time, this same assistance can morph into a paralyzing and insidious trap.
Let us speak honestly: there is a real—and growing—danger that the short-term comfort offered by these benefits becomes a source of inertia, complacency, and ultimately, resignation. For those receiving unemployment benefits, the incentive to actively seek work diminishes. The same applies, perhaps even more acutely, to income support—a benefit that can become dangerously addictive. The longer one relies on it, the harder it becomes to break free. What was meant to be a bridge becomes a crutch—and then, a cage.
The problem intensifies when the oleh chadash has not yet mastered Hebrew. Language barriers create additional layers of dependency: without basic fluency, even the simplest tasks—filling out a form, reading official correspondence, scheduling a medical appointment, or asserting one’s rights—require the help of others. Fear of making mistakes leads to paralysis. Shame silences the voice that might ask for help.
Gradually, the habit of asking for help becomes permanent. Initiative fades. The individual no longer tries, no longer pushes. It starts to feel natural—even inevitable—to depend on others for everything. It is not uncommon to meet immigrants who have lived in Israel for years and still cannot complete a basic form, describe their symptoms to a doctor, or read a food label in the supermarket.
And so, passivity takes root.
The result? A cruel and self-reinforcing cycle: the longer one remains dependent, the less strength there is to break free—and the weaker one becomes, the deeper the dependency grows.
This is not a condemnation of social benefits. These programs are vital and must be protected. But this is a call for clarity: do not let temporary assistance become a life sentence. You did not come to Israel to survive on handouts. You came to live. To grow. To thrive.
Reclaim your independence, your freedom, your dignity.
And if you don’t know where to begin—speak to someone who does. Often, the issue is not a lack of ability, but a lack of direction.
Independence begins with a single step.
