Israeli Experience Research Articles

Israel’s experience in the integration of women into the military: lessons for reforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The article examines Israel’s experience in the integration of women into military service as a key element of ensuring national defense capability. It is noted that the Israeli model of women’s integration is unique in view of its combination with the tough security challenges that have accompanied the existence of the state since its foundation. The legislative framework, organizational aspects and socio-cultural features that affect the participation of women in the armed forces are analyzed. The key role of gender mainstreaming in ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women in various units of the Israel Defense Forces is emphasized. Using the example of Israeli reforms, a comparison is made with the Ukrainian context, in which the integration of women into the military sphere is of particular relevance due to the long-term military conflict. It is found that despite significant progress in ensuring gender equality in the Israeli armed forces, the integration process faces organizational and social barriers. In particular, the uneven access of women to combat and leadership positions is noted due to entrenched stereotypes and restrictions that reflect deeper socio-cultural problems. Special attention is paid to the issues of legislative changes that contributed to the expansion of opportunities for women in the military sphere. Key regulatory acts are analyzed, in particular amendments to the Law on Military Service, which ensured equal access of women and men to positions in the armed forces. It is emphasized that the implementation of gender equality in Israel is based not only on legislative changes, but also on a comprehensive approach that takes into account social, cultural and economic factors. In the context of Ukrainian realities, the need to introduce reforms that will take into account the successful elements of the Israeli model is noted. A comparison of the number of military personnel and reservists of the two states is made, which allows us to highlight the specifics of their approaches to the formation of defense potential. It is noted that for Ukraine it is important not only to increase the number of personnel, but also to ensure high-quality training and equal opportunities for women in all aspects of military service. The analysis allows us to conclude that the Israeli experience is a valuable reference point for reforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The use of this experience will contribute not only to increasing defense capabilities, but also to consolidating the principles of gender equality as the basis for the development of society. It is emphasized that the success of reforms depends on their comprehensiveness, adaptation to the national context, and involvement of all resources of society in solving defense tasks.

Vulnerabilities in migrant live-in care arrangements for people with dementia: a comparative analysis of experts' insights from Germany and Israel.

The global rise in dementia among older adults has led to an increased reliance on migrant live-in caregivers, particularly in countries like Germany and Israel. This triadic care arrangement, involving persons with dementia, their families, and migrant live-in caregivers, presents unique challenges and vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities, deeply intertwined with ethical concerns, are shaped by the socio-cultural and legal contexts of each country. This study aims to explore these vulnerabilities through a comparative analysis of expert experiences in Germany and Israel. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with 24 experts-14 from Israel and 10 from Germany-who have extensive experience in dementia care or migrant caregiving. The interviews were analyzed through qualitative content analysis, focusing on six dimensions of vulnerability: physical, psychological, relational/interpersonal, moral, socio-cultural-political-economic, and existential/spiritual. The analysis revealed that all parties in the care triad-persons with dementia, migrant live-in caregivers, and family members-experience distinct yet interconnected vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities are deeply entangled, manifesting in complex, interrelated ways both within each party and between the different parties in this triadic arrangement. The study also highlighted both similarities and differences in expert experiences between Germany and Israel, reflecting the unique socio-cultural and legal contexts of each country. The study underscores the multifaceted and interdependent nature of vulnerabilities in migrant live-in care arrangements for people with dementia. By comparing expert insights from Israel and Germany, the research highlights the critical role of national policies and cultural contexts in shaping these vulnerabilities, leading to distinct experiences and challenges in each country. Addressing these vulnerabilities is essential for improving the quality of care and the well-being of all parties involved in the triadic care arrangement.

FEATURES OF UKRAINIAN-ISRAELI INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN EXTREME CONDITIONS OF TODAY

The relevance of this study lies in the fact that in modern conditions of globalization, for the development of one country, it is necessary to maintain diplomatic and economic ties with other countries. Given that both countries are in a state of military conflict, such a study can provide theoretical foundations for the future development of our country. Having studied the experience of Israel, we will be able to use elements of their development model to improve the state of our own economy. In order to understand the peculiarities of relations between these countries and their economic condition, it is necessary to consider the results of international trade and the provision of international services, to study the movement of capital and human resources, scientific and technical, production and monetary and financial cooperation.

P-1426. Comorbidities and Healthcare Resource Utilization Among People With HIV: Real-World Data From a Large Israeli Healthcare Provider

Abstract Background Despite recent advances in HIV antiretroviral treatment (ART), unmet needs for people with HIV (PWH) remain. The study compared comorbid disease burden and healthcare resource utilization (HRU) among PWH vs those without HIV diagnosis, as well as by ART patterns. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study used anonymized electronic healthcare data from Israel’s Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS; >2.7M members) to compare people living with HIV on 31/12/2022 with age-sex-matched controls without HIV diagnosis (1998−2022). PWH had to have ≥1 HIV diagnosis code(s) (1998−2022) and ≥1 dispensed ART prescription (2008−2022). Members enrolled for < 12 months were excluded. Sociodemographic characteristics, lifetime prevalence of comorbidities (exception: anxiety/depression, diagnosed and/or treated in 2022), and HRU (2022) were described. Among PWH dispensed ≥1 ART in 2022, patterns of 12-month percentage of days covered (PDC), discontinuation (≥90-day treatment gap), and interruption (resumed treatment after 6−89-day gap) were described. Results Among 1973 PWH and 9865 controls, mean±SD age was 48.2±11.2 and 48.7±11.2 years, respectively, and 74.4% were male. A lower proportion of PWH (39.6%) vs controls (48.0%) had high residential socioeconomic status. Higher prevalence of comorbidities among PWH vs controls included anxiety/depression (26.2% vs 13.5%), liver disease (20.9% vs 12.5%), chronic kidney disease (14.9% vs 7.3%), cancer (7.2% vs 5.3%), hepatitis C virus (5.6% vs 0.1%), and hepatitis B virus (HBV; 3.4% vs 0.4%). PWH (vs controls) had a median of 10 primary-care visits/year (vs 7) and more frequent hospital admissions (≥1: 11.4% vs 6.6%) and emergency room visits (≥1: 26.5% vs 19.0%). Among PWH treated in 2022 (n=1907), 78.1% had PDC ≥90%. Discontinuation and interruption occurred among 7.2% and 69.1% of treated PWH, respectively. PWH with PDC < 90% (vs ≥90%) had younger age, lower socioeconomic status, higher prevalence of HBV diagnosis, and less frequent physician visits in prior 12 months. Conclusion Despite high ART coverage, PWH in Israel experience an excess burden of comorbidities and HRU compared to age-sex-matched controls without HIV. Further research is needed to address the excess disease burden and better define treatment/care gaps among PWH. Disclosures Sivan Gazit, MD, AbbVie: The relationship is not personal, AbbVie funded the current study, funding to the research institution where I work Arlene Nugent, MSc, Abbvie: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company) Liza Bronner Murrison, PhD, AbbVie: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company) Ana Gabriela Pires dos Santos, PhD, ABBVIE: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)

МІЖНАРОДНІ ПРАКТИКИ ЕКОНОМІЧНОЇ СТАБІЛІЗАЦІЇ ТА ЇХ ПОТЕНЦІАЛ ДЛЯ УКРАЇНИ

The article is devoted to analyzing international practices of economic stabilization and their potential application for Ukraine’s recovery. The study focuses on the experiences of Germany, Japan, South Korea, Poland, and Israel, which were selected based on their relevance to Ukraine’s realities. The countries were chosen according to the following criteria: the scale of destruction and economic losses, similarities in geopolitical contexts, levels of economic development after recovery, innovative approaches to reconstruction, strategies for addressing social and humanitarian challenges, and the effectiveness of attracting international assistance. The research emphasizes key strategies of economic transformation, including the use of innovative financial instruments such as cryptocurrencies, crowdfunding, and mobile banking. Particular attention is paid to the role of digital technologies and the development of high-tech sectors in stimulating economic growth. The article underscores the importance of adapting international experience to Ukrainian conditions, particularly in attracting investments, fostering social cohesion, and ensuring transparency in financial management. The study also highlights innovative approaches to addressing economic, social, and financial challenges. The article examines successful international practices that can be valuable for Ukraine. In the conclusions, the article outlines practical recommendations for integrating innovative financial instruments into Ukraine’s recovery strategy. Key insights include addressing regulatory uncertainties, improving cybersecurity measures, and enhancing public awareness of new financial tools. Moreover, the potential of leveraging blockchain technologies for transparency, crowdfunding for infrastructure projects, and mobile banking for financial inclusion is highlighted as critical components of the recovery strategy. The conclusions emphasize the need for a coordinated approach that combines international experience with the unique challenges and opportunities of Ukraine’s economic landscape.

Models of Field Hospital Emergency Departments: The Israeli Experience.

The World Health Organization has classified Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) into 3 types for international disaster response. They range from those that operate as daytime clinic facilities to those that have complete hospital capabilities that can provide 24/7 inpatient care. The most complex EMT (Type 3) includes a full-scale emergency department (ED), operating rooms, a medical/surgical ward, an intensive care unit, and laboratory services. The Israel Defense Forces Field Hospital was the first to be officially designated as a Type 3 EMT. Two models have been used by the Israeli EMT depending on the disaster response: standalone and hybrid. The standalone model is where the ED and hospital are set up in tents independent of any existing health care facilities. The hybrid model is where the equipment and personnel are combined with existing structures. Pediatric patients are examined in either a designated area staffed by specialized pediatric emergency physicians and nurses or integrated into the general ED. Models of ED layout, staffing, scheduling, and equipment are also described. While the Israeli team is a Type 3 EMT, the different models of ED organization can also be applied to other types of field hospitals to maximize care in the disaster setting.

Involuntary childlessness in the U.S. and Israel: Pronatalism, gender, and sexual identity

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined experiences of involuntary childlessness as a function of sexual identity and gender in the United States (U.S.) and Israel.BackgroundSexual minority individuals may experience more involuntary childlessness than heterosexual people, and, to our knowledge, no studies have compared involuntary childlessness between the U.S., which is socially, but not politically pronatal, and Israel, which is both socially and politically pronatal.MethodTwo online surveys were distributed, one per country. The combined dataset was 1739 people (470 heterosexual men, 521 heterosexual women, 421 sexual minority men, and 327 sexual minority women). Differences in pronatalism, experiences of involuntary childlessness, and stress related to involuntary childlessness were assessed as a function of gender, sexual identity, and country.ResultsParticipants in the U.S. reported higher levels of pronatalism, more frequent involuntary childlessness, and greater stress from these experiences than did Israeli participants. In Israel, 68% of sexual minority people reported having experienced involuntary childlessness compared to 32% of heterosexual people. In the U.S., around 50% of people reported involuntary childlessness regardless of group. However, sexual minority individuals reported more frequent experiences of and stress from these experiences than did heterosexual people in both countries.ConclusionA concerning proportion of people in the U.S. and sexual minority adults in Israel experience involuntary childlessness. Overall, there are implications for the potential protective factor of effective fertility policies, such as in Israel, for those facing involuntary childlessness.

“Always they look at you as a stranger”: affective encounters with the border among irregularised African migrants in Israel

ABSTRACT From 2005-2013, migrants travelled through Egypt’s Sinai Desert to cross into Israel in search of asylum. The first were Sudanese people escaping conflict in Darfur, with Eritreans arriving subsequently. With no established legal framework for processing asylum claims, Israel’s government prevented these migrants from making formal asylum applications, granting temporary collective protection, and began to use language of infiltration and policies of detention and deportation. In response, irregularised Africans organized a protest movement, claiming the right to a fair asylum process, the contours of which illustrated the complex entanglements of collective affects that were central to making a new political subject. The article asks how experiences of Israel’s border regime disclosed a particular world, how the border was felt in affective encounters and relations through which migrants were hailed as infiltrators. The violence of bordering led to despair, stuckness, and dissipating hopes, but migrants’ shared suffering also produced inter-connection and solidarity in ways that reflected the valuing of established identities as well as being together in difference. Positive and negative affects coexisted, the latter leading not to political inaction but demonstrating the generative potential of loss when it shapes shared affective spaces and expressions of collectivity.

Civil-Military Cooperation in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned From the Israeli Experience.

Civil-Military Cooperation in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned From the Israeli Experience.

Reintegration of the population of disputed territories after the military conflicts: legal experience of Azerbaijan and Israel and the prospects for Ukraine

The article examines the state-legal experience of development and implementation of the programs for integration of the population groups of disputed territories in Azerbaijan and Israel, which were previously complicated due to the military conflicts. The analysis of the existing integration programs of both states demonstrates the presence of many common features. In both cases, political and religious rights are guaranteed to the population of the disputed territories, an increase in positive attitude towards the state is facilitated by economic privileges and additional opportunities for economic development of both specific individuals and entire communities. Sufficient emphasis is placed on the youth-oriented cultural and educational opportunities. In order to exercise these rights or to be entitled to the stimuli, certain loyalty or self-identification with the state is required from the population, in particular in the form of acquiring citizenship. The biggest differences in the state and legal policy of both states are related to the fact that Azerbaijan has actually already gained full control over the territory of Karabakh, while in Israel the territorial issue is far from being resolved. It should also be taken into account that Azerbaijan has only two ethno-religious groups related to the territory of Karabakh, and in Israel we are talking about Muslim Arabs, but they belong to three different groups, which is also reflected in the creation of different models when building relations with them Attention is also drawn to the fact that Israel has been pursuing this policy for several decades, while Azerbaijan has just started it. The advantage of the prospects for implementing the population reintegration policy in Azerbaijan is that the military conflict with Armenia over the territory of Karabakh is almost over. Attention is also focused on the different ratio of the population that the state is trying to integrate and the population in the «core» territories of each state. The analysis of the mentioned statistics makes it possible to predict the best prospects for the implementation of the state and legal policy of Azerbaijan. The practice of population integration and reintegration programs is very relevant for Ukraine. After all, the end of the war with the Russian Federation will present our state and society with this problem in its entirety. Today, the task of lawyers-scientists is to study the most successful examples of other states and create developments that could be useful to us. Key words: disputed territories, policy of integration and reintegration, Azerbaijan, Israel.

Regulatory and Legal Provision of the Public Administration of the Development of the Road Industry of Ukraine

The paper examines the transformation of regulatory and legal provision of public management of road development in Ukraine under the influence of military aggression and the need for post-war reconstruction. The inconsistency of the current legal framework with the challenges of wartime was revealed, in particular, in the field of coordination of actions of different levels of government, financial support, prioritization of infrastructure restoration and public involvement. Gaps and conflicts in the legal framework were identified, which prevent effective public management and reconstruction of the road network. The experience of Georgia and Israel in overcoming similar challenges is analyzed, in particular, by adapting legislation, creating specialized management bodies, implementing electronic management systems and attracting international assistance. On the basis of the obtained results, scientifically based recommendations were developed for the improvement of regulatory and legal support and mechanisms of public management of the development of the road industry of Ukraine, aimed at increasing their efficiency, transparency and adaptability to modern challenges.

Justification Strategic Priorities of Investment Development of the Republic of Armenia

The Republic of Armenia requires investments for economic growth and development, including foreign direct investment due to the small capacity of the domestic market. The investment strategy must be consistent with the national development strategy and must be the resource base of the national strategy in terms of realizing the values and interests of the country’s residents. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the strategic priorities of investment development of the Republic of Armenia and to identify priority development sectors that have competitive advantages and investment potential. The methodological basis of the research is the theory of strategy and methodology of strategizing by academician V. L. Kvint. According to the strategy methodology, an analysis of global investment and national trends was carried out, and successful international experience in attracting investments was studied. The experience of Israel is considered, which demonstrates a striking example of improving the investment attractiveness of the country thanks to an effective investment strategy. The strategic priorities of Israel’s investment strategy are highlighted, some of which need to be implemented in the practice of attracting investments in the Republic of Armenia. To substantiate strategic priorities and highlight highly competitive industries, regulations governing the attraction of foreign direct investment in Armenia, the economic state of Armenia were studied, and an OTWS analysis of investment activity was conducted. Based on the results of a comprehensive analysis, the authors propose two groups of strategic priorities: primary strategic priorities and auxiliary priorities that enhance the significance and effectiveness of the former. The study shows that strategic industries with competitive advantages and investment potential for Armenia are the chemical and metallurgical industries, textile and clothing industries, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and agro-industry. An effective investment strategy for the Republic of Armenia is the basis for the country’s further development.

An ethical analysis of conditional and partially directed live kidney donation among strangers—The Israeli experience

An ethical analysis of conditional and partially directed live kidney donation among strangers—The Israeli experience

‘A kindergarten teacher must have 100 eyes and 100 ears!’: Kindergarten teachers' experiences coping with child sexual abuse and problematic sexual behavior

‘A kindergarten teacher must have 100 eyes and 100 ears!’: Kindergarten teachers' experiences coping with child sexual abuse and problematic sexual behavior

The Israeli health system’s rapid responses during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic posed numerous challenges to health systems around the world. In addressing many of those challenges, Israel responded quite rapidly. While quick action is not an end in it itself, it can be important in responding to disease outbreaks. Some of Israel's rapid responses to the pandemic contributed significantly to population health and provided important learning opportunities for other countries.Main bodySome of the most prominent Israeli rapid responses were related to vaccination. Israel led the world in the pace of its initial vaccine rollout, and it was also the first country to approve and administer booster vaccines to broad segments of the population. In addition, Israeli scholars published a series of timely reports analyzing vaccination impact, which informed policy in Israel and other countries. Israel was a rapid responder in additional areas of public health. These include the partial closure of its borders, the adoption of physical distancing measures, the use of digital surveillance technology for contact tracing, the use of wastewater surveillance to monitor viral spread, and the use of vaccine certificates ("green passes") to facilitate a return to routine in the face of the ongoing pandemic. Many factors contributed to Israel's capacity to repeatedly respond rapidly to a broad array of COVID-19 challenges. These include a national health insurance system that promotes public–private coordination, a system of universal electronic health records, a high level of emergency preparedness, a culture of focusing on goal attainment, a culture of innovation, and the presence of a strong scientific community which is highly connected internationally. In addition, some of the rapid responses (e.g., the rapid initial vaccination rollout) facilitated rapid responses in related areas (e.g., the analysis of vaccination impact, the administration of boosters, and the adoption of green passes). While rapid response can contribute to population health and economic resilience, it can also entail costs, risks, and limitations. These include making decisions and acting before all the relevant information is available; deciding without sufficient consideration of the full range of possible effects, costs, and benefits; not providing enough opportunities for the involvement of relevant groups in the decision-making process; and depleting non-renewable resources.ConclusionsBased on our findings, we encourage leaders in the Israeli government to ensure that its emergency response system will continue to have the capacity to respond rapidly to large-scale challenges, whether of a military or civilian nature. At the same time, the emergency response systems should develop mechanisms to include more stakeholders in the fast-paced decision-making process and should improve communication with the public. In addition, they should put into place mechanisms for timely reconsideration, adjustment, and—when warranted—reversal of decisions which, while reasonable when reached, turn out to have been ill-advised in the light of subsequent developments and evidence. These mechanisms could potentially involve any or all branches of government, as well as the public, the press, and professional organizations. Our findings also have implications for health system leaders in other countries. The Israeli experience can help them identify key capacities to develop during non-emergency periods, thus positioning themselves to respond more rapidly in an emergency. Finally, health system leaders in other countries could monitor Israel's rapid responses to future global health emergencies and adopt selected actions in their own countries.

Delivering Dialysis during Wartime: The Israeli Experience.

Delivering Dialysis during Wartime: The Israeli Experience.

Rethinking Priority for Prodonation Behaviors in Organ Allocation-Lessons From the Israeli Experience.

Rethinking Priority for Prodonation Behaviors in Organ Allocation-Lessons From the Israeli Experience.

Maximizing volunteers in emergency medical services: The experience of Israel's Magen David Adom.

Emergency medical services (EMS) throughout the world utilize volunteers. Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel's EMS organization and an official member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has incorporated these volunteer roles on a national level and significantly expanded upon them for pandemic and disaster response. In addition to traditional ambulance-based volunteers, MDA utilizes automobile-based on-call volunteers, motorcycle on-call volunteers, international volunteers, youth volunteers, and volunteers during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. They are also integrated into the national disaster response team. As a national organization, MDA is responsible for coordinating EMS members throughout Israel, which allows for the successful integration of the various types of volunteers into its emergency response. This model can be integrated into EMS systems throughout the world during routine times as well as for multicausality incidents, pandemics, and disasters.

Training teachers to work with gifted students: the experience of Ukraine and Israel

Training teachers to work with gifted students: the experience of Ukraine and Israel

MODERN APPROACHES OF DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES TO THE CONCEPT OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDING OBJECTS

The article examines the modern approaches of development companies to the concept of residential construction objects, due to the awareness of the need to adapt residential buildings to the new realities of wartime. A study of the concept of a residential construction object was conducted as a specification of the appearance of the future object, which is being developed in order to organize all external factors that affect the formation of the object of the urban environment: the cultural and architectural code of the city or district, the interests and goals of the investor, opportunities modern construction technologies, convenience, comfort and compliance with the expectations of the end user. The meaning of the concept is revealed as one of the most complex, important and responsible aspects of the development company's activity. The goal of developing a relevant, popular and modern concept for the formation of a future housing construction object was established. The main constituent elements of the housing object concept are considered. 
 Special attention is paid to the experience of Israel, which, in order to adapt to life in a state of war, had to create a construction concept that corresponds to their harsh realities, and this is also relevant for Ukraine today. The main principles of the approach of Israeli specialists to the problem of protection, based on many years of experience of living under shelling, are considered. The factors that hinder the quick, professional response of legislators, developers, and builders with appropriate changes in the norms and rules of the construction of buildings and structures to the dangerous challenges of war in Ukraine are given and analyzed. 
 It is proven that development companies, realizing the need to adapt housing construction objects to new realities, changing their approaches to housing construction, are obliged to contribute as much as possible to the creation of modern, comfortable and safe spaces for residents, which should be reflected in every point and section of the concept object of residential construction.
 It was noted that the philosophy of modern development is a safe, comfortable space for the residents of the house.