Israeli Society Research Articles

A historical cohort study with 27,754 individuals on the association between meat consumption and gastrointestinal tract and colorectal cancer incidence.

In order to explore the association between meat consumption and gastrointestinal/colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and to estimate the Israeli population attributable fraction (PAF), we conducted a collaborative historical cohort study using the individual participant data of seven nutritional studies from the past 6 decades. We included healthy adult men and women who underwent a nutritional interview. Dietary assessment data, using food-frequency or 24-h recall questionnaires, were harmonized. The study file was linked to the National Cancer and death registries. Among 27,754 participants, 1216 (4.4%) were diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancers and 839 (3.0%) with CRC by the end of 2016. Using meta-analysis methods applied to Cox proportional hazard models (adjusted for daily energy intake, sex, age, ethnic origin, education and smoking),100 g/day increments in beef, red meat and poultry consumption, and 50 g/day increment in processed meat consumption were associated with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals of 1.46 (1.06-2.02), 1.15 (0.87-1.52), 1.06 (0.89-1.26), and 0.93 (0.76-1.12), respectively, for CRC. Similar results were obtained for gastrointestinal cancer, although red meat consumption reached statistical significance (HR = 1.27; 95%CI: 1.02-1.58). The PAFs associated with a reduction to a maximum of 50 g/day in the consumption of red meat were 2.7% (95%CI: -1.9 to 12.0) and 5.2% (0.3-13.9) for CRC and gastrointestinal cancers, respectively. Reduction of beef consumption to a maximum of 50 g/day will result in a CRC PAF reduction of 7.5% (0.7%-24.3%). While beef consumption was associated with gastrointestinal/CRC excess risk, poultry consumption was not. A substantial part of processed meat consumption in Israel is processed poultry, perhaps explaining the lack of association with CRC.

The genetic landscape of Lynch syndrome in the Israeli population.

Deciphering the spectrum and founder disease-causing variants (DCVs) in specific populations can shape and facilitate the diagnostic process of Lynch Syndrome (LS). The aim of this report was to comprehensively update on the genetic landscape of LS in the ethnically diverse Israeli-Jewish population. The cohort included 1080 carriers from 588 families; some from underrepresented, understudied Israeli ethnic groups recruited from 8 genetic institutes and high-risk clinics throughout the country. Variant classification was performed according to the American College of Medical Genetics criteria. A total of 157 DCVs were identified, 12 are reported here for the first time, and 9 reclassified. MSH2 DCVs were identified in 286 families (49%). Most DCVs (125/157, 80%) were noted in one or two families only. Sixteen DCVs, each detected in ≥ 5 families, and accounted for LS in 378/588 (64%) families. Constitutional mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD) was diagnosed in 7 families. Twenty-five carriers (2.3%) had an additional DCV or risk alleles in another cancer susceptibility gene. In conclusion, MMR gene variant distribution in Israel is diverse. MSH2 is most commonly mutated due to founder DCVs. Though the 16 prevalent LS-associated DCVs were frequently detected in our cohort, none of them is frequently reported in the general population. These data should facilitate variant interpretation, spouse and cascade testing.

Re-imaging a country beyond its conflict: evaluation of an Israeli public diplomacy intervention for youth in Germany

AbstractOutcome evaluations of public diplomacy programs remain scarce. Addressing this gap, this study evaluated Israel Project Day, a seminar-based Israeli intervention designed to improve Israel's image among German youth. The intervention provides a unique real-world application of the “Life in Israel” model that spotlights Israel’s cultural diversity and achievements beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Utilizing a quasi-experimental pre-post design and mixed-linear models, the study shows that participation significantly improved overall attitudes toward Israel, interest in Israeli society, and perceptions of Israel as a democratic, multicultural, and safe place. Although the program avoided direct conflict-related messages, it facilitated more favorable views on Israel's policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, demonstrating potential spillover effects to the conflictual-political realm. Additionally, effects on German-Israeli cooperation and responsibility were modest, highlighting a challenge for the Israeli-German unique relationship. Finally, the effects on interest in Israeli society and politics and support for German-Israel cooperation were stronger for participants with low media exposure. By moving away from conflict-centric presentations and focusing on contributions and advancements, nations like Israel can potentially cultivate a more positive national image. Practical implications are discussed for crafting impactful outreach, upscaling, and sustaining flexible efforts attuned to sociopolitical developments and challenges.

Personal resilience among novice teachers and teacher-interns in Arab society in Israel: demographic, socio-emotional and educational characteristics

ABSTRACT Unlike previous studies that have investigated teachers’ personal resilience, the current study sought to examine its demographic characteristics and its relationships with socio-emotional and educational factors, and to consider differences in personal resilience between novice teachers and teacher-interns with low, medium and high levels of personal resilience. The participants were 298 novice teachers and teacher-interns in Arab schools in the north of Israel, who filled out questionnaires that included demographic details, and measures of personal resilience, subjective happiness, positive and negative affect, self-esteem, social anxiety, and teaching motivation. The findings indicated significant differences between the participants on the relationship between personal resilience and teaching status, teaching internship and teaching seniority. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between personal resilience and subjective happiness, but negative correlations were found between personal resilience and negative affect, social anxiety, social fear, and social avoidance. Significant differences were found between three categories (low, medium and high personal resilience) of novice teachers and teacher-interns for social avoidance, social anxiety, general affect, negative affect, and teaching motivation. The authors concluded that workshops for the mentioned teachers should focus primarily on increasing their personal resilience, which is crucial for their optimal integration into the education system.

Schoolteachers’ beliefs and self reactions towards stuttering in Israel

ABSTRACT This study aims to: (a) examine beliefs and self reactions of schoolteachers towards stuttering and people who stutter using the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes-Stuttering (POSHA-S) questionnaire and (b) examine how background variables (age, gender, education, and marital status) affected teachers’ attitudes, beliefs and knowledge. A total of 202 teachers from Israel filled out the POSHA-S questionnaire using the Hebrew online version. Overall, Israeli teachers’ beliefs, and self reactions were consistent with the data in the world database of POSHA-S. Participants’ Overall Stuttering Score (OSS), as well as the items examining teachers’ attitudes towards traits and personality of people who stutter, helping people who stutter, and attitudes towards people who stutter were higher (i.e., more positive) relative to the same components existing in POSHA-S database for the rest of the world. Lack of knowledge regarding the causes of stuttering was revealed. OSS and Self Reactions were found to be related to education. Significant positive correlations were found across POSHA-S components which linked knowledge scores and the beliefs of teachers about traits of people who stutter. The impact of education indicates that attitudes are influenced by exposure to knowledge sources and/or interaction with a variety of people which characterizes Israeli society. The results are expected to serve as a basis for future intervention programmes aiming to improve teachers’ attitudes towards people who stutter.

Emotional resilience and sense of danger among doctors in hospitals during periods of heightened tensions and warfare in Israel.

The "Iron Swords" War beginning in October 2023 led to unprecedented levels of shock and trauma across Israel, significantly impacting the Israeli population and medical personnel. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the perceived personal resilience and sense of danger among physicians in hospitals located in different conflict zone proximities in Israel during this period. A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted from March to August 2024, during an active phase of the war, using a structured anonymous questionnaire. Participants were 161 physicians from three hospitals: one in southern Israel near the Gaza Strip, another in northern Israel near the borders with Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, and a third in central Israel near Tel Aviv. The survey measured personal resilience using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) and sense of danger using the Solomon & Prager scale. Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis H test, multiple linear regression, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Sobel test for mediation effects. The final sample included 161 physicians (54 southern, 56 central, 51 northern). The mean resilience score was 31.14 ± 5.77, and the mean sense of danger score was 8.36 ± 4.15 (scales 0-40 and 0-20, respectively). Physicians in the southern hospital reported significantly higher sense of danger scores (p = 0.005). A trend towards lower resilience scores was noted among southern hospital physicians (p = 0.068) (p = 0.068). Two-way ANOVA revealed significant main effects of hospital location and gender on resilience (p = 0.046 and p = 0.003, respectively) and sense of danger (p = 0.005 and p = 0.062, respectively). Multiple regression analysis identified hospital location (β = -0.178, p = 0.023) and gender (β = 0.229, p = 0.004) as significant predictors of resilience. Mediation analysis indicated that personal resilience partially mediated the relationship between hospital location and sense of danger (indirect effect = 0.2896, p < 0.001). Physicians working near conflict zones report higher levels of perceived danger, though their resilience is comparable to peers in less threatened regions. Enhancing personal resilience is crucial to mitigate the heightened sense of danger. This could include regular resilience training, psychological support, and specific programs for single and childless physicians to improve safety perceptions. Additionally, fostering a supportive community with clear communication and robust emergency protocols is essential for enhancing staff resilience and safety in hospitals.

How self-efficacy shapes professional identity among novice Arab teachers?

ABSTRACT Professional identity is a multifaceted and evolving concept that has been interpreted in various ways over time. In the context of education, teachers’ self-efficacy is seen as a key factor that can influence the development of their professional identity. The current study aimed to explore two main objectives among novice Arab teachers in Israel: (a) to examine the relationships between components of self-efficacy and factors of professional identity; and (b) to analyse the predictive power of self-efficacy components in relation to the factors that form professional identity. The study involved 279 novice teachers who participated in the research by completing three self-report questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire, a self-efficacy scale, and a professional identity questionnaire. The results revealed significant positive correlations between the components of self-efficacy and factors of professional identity. Specifically, higher levels of self-efficacy in teaching tasks, relationships, and organisation were associated with stronger professional identity. Furthermore, regression analysis showed that self-efficacy components significantly predicted professional identity factors, with general self-efficacy emerging as a strong predictor across all models. In conclusion, the study highlights the central role of self-efficacy in shaping novice teachers’ professional identity, particularly within the unique cultural context of Arab society in Israel.

The Druze in the army: a (very) limited entrance ticket to Israeli (Jewish) society

This article explores the complex and often contradictory experiences of the Druze community in Israel, specifically examining how military service has shaped their identity and integration into Israeli society. While military service is typically viewed as a means of achieving social equality and inclusion, the Druze continue to face discrimination despite fulfilling their national obligations. Using semi-structured interviews, this study investigates the implications of the Druze's compulsory conscription, focusing on concepts of reciprocity, convertibility, and identity politics. Findings reveal that while military service reinforces the Israeli identity among Druze youth, it fails to provide the expected access to equal rights and full citizenship, thus perpetuating their marginalized status within an ethno-republican state.

A prediction model of PTSD in the Israeli population in the aftermath of october 7th, 2023, terrorist attack and the Israel–Hamas war

BackgroundOn October 7th, 2023, a mass terror attack was launched by Hamas militants, which was followed by the Israel-Hamas war. These events constitute a nationwide trauma with major ramifications for public mental health. This article presents an evidence-based model for the prediction of the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the terrorist attack and the war.Main body: The creation of the model consisted of several steps. Firstly, the Israeli population was divided into six groups based on the intensity, context, and type of traumatic exposure (direct exposure to terror, close proximity to terror, soldiers in combat and support units, intense exposure to rocket attacks, moderate exposure to rocket attacks, and indirectly affected communities), and the population size of each group was assessed using official national databases. Secondly, an estimation of the expected prevalence of PTSD in each of the exposure groups was based on a review of the relevant literature. A random-effects meta-analysis of the prevalence rates was conducted separately per each exposure group. Finally, the predicted number of PTSD causalities in the population was calculated by multiplying the group size and the PTSD prevalence estimation. Based on population size and estimated PTSD prevalence within each exposure category, the model predicts that approximately 5.3% (N = 519,923) of the Israeli population (95% confidence interval, 1.64–9%), may develop PTSD as a result of the terrorist attack and the war.ConclusionsThe predicted number of individuals with PTSD following mass trauma is expected to be considerable. The presented model can assist policymakers, clinicians, and researchers in preparing and devising adequate interventions for the mental health needs of large populations. Moreover, this model can be applied in other instances of mass-trauma exposure.

Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Toward Educational Renewable Energy Sources in Arab Society in Israel

Public Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Toward Educational Renewable Energy Sources in Arab Society in Israel

Hospital employees’ perceived racism, ethnically offensive behavior, and patient violence

Abstract Background Hospitals are sensitive environments with complex interactions between employees and patients. Israeli society is ethnically diverse, and Israeli hospitals reflect this diversity and may create opportunities for rapprochement between different ethnic groups or might raise conflicts between them. In radical situations, such encounters might lead to violence. The phenomenon of physical or verbal violence towards caregivers and hospital employees exists. However, the uniqueness of this study is in examining whether the origin of the violence stems from racist reactions and how offensive behavior on an ethnic background could develop into actual violence. Methods Data were collected through an online close-ended survey among 370 hospital employees. 83% were Jewish, 68% were female, and 38 years old on average, with a mean hospital tenure of 6.5 years. The survey explored respondents’ perceived racism toward them, their exposure to offensive patient behavior based on ethnicity, and their exposure to general violence. Data were analyzed by SPSS 28. Results Preliminary results suggest positive correlations between study variables (r=.42-.52, p&amp;lt; .001). Regression analysis revealed that perceived racism contributed to general violence (β=.43, p&amp;lt; .001; R²=.19). Next, ethnic-based offensive behavior was added to the model (β=.36, p&amp;lt; .001). The analysis shows that general violence can be explained by these variables [F(2, 359)= 70.42, p&amp;lt; .001; R²=.28]. The R² of the general model increased significantly by 9.6%. The weight of perceived racism dropped yet is still significant (β=.24, p&amp;lt; .001). These results indicate that patients’ ethnic-based offensive behavior partially mediates the relationship between employees’ perceived racism and general violence. Conclusions The results suggest that employees who suffer from racism experience patients’ offensive behaviors based on ethnicity, which finally results in higher exposure to general violence in the workplace. Key messages • Understanding the phenomenon of violence in hospitals and examining the relationship between it and racism may amend policy and improve the quality of care and working conditions in the health sector. • The hospital environment involves diverse groups of society. Hence, the awareness of offensive behavior on an ethnic background is a condition to reduce racism and violence proactively.

Degrees of exclusion: The politics of heat adaptation in Palestine–Israel, 1950–1980

This article investigates the development of Israeli heat adaptation research from 1950 to 1980 and its role in advancing Israeli nation-building and settler-colonial policies. Focusing on the scientific career of the Zionist military doctor Ezra Sohar, renowned for reforming the Israeli Defence Forces' “water discipline,” the article traces the emergence of Israeli thermal physiological research. It reveals the shift from the view that certain races were better adapted to specific climates to a “universalized” notion of acclimatization as a physiological process possible to anyone. The universal notion of acclimatization created new forms of exclusion, as the indigenous Arab-Palestinian population, particularly Bedouins, lost their perceived racial advantage in heat adaptation; Jewish-Israeli thermal physiologists argued that Jews were better adapted to heat due to cultural factors. Finally, the article follows Sohar's advocacy for air conditioning, which he promoted as the “ideal solution” for establishing a Western, “developed” Israeli society. Thus, the article demonstrates how the rise of air conditioning during this period further reinforced the exclusion and marginalization of Bedouin communities. It illustrates how planetary dynamics of climate injustice and colonialist policies manifest locally and highlights heat exposure as a form of colonial violence. Sohar's story provides insight into a scientific community driven by the ambition to conquer heat, reflecting a political logic that, to this day, leaves neither past heat adaptation practices nor air conditioning as possible solutions for Bedouin communities coping with a rapidly warming planet.

Stressors in the work-family system and negative affect: a comparison between ethnic communities and genders

ABSTRACT The current study examined associations between stressors in the work-family system and negative affect among three ethnic communities in Israeli society. The total sample included 817 participants (65% women) consisting of 269 modern Jews, 147 ultra-Orthodox Jews and 269 Israeli Arabs. Participants completed measures of objective load in the family and work, role conflict, and negative affect. Work-family role conflict emerged as a significant mediator between objective load (experienced at work) and negative affect. Similarities and differences were found across ethnic communities and genders. The association between experiencing role conflict and negative affect is stronger among members of the modern Jewish community than among traditional ones (ultra-Orthodox Jews and Arabs). The research findings present a multifaceted picture regarding the relationship between stressors and their adverse impact on mental well-being across various ethnic communities. While some consistent patterns emerged, indicating a uniform impact of certain stressors, other findings suggest that the association between stress experienced within the family-work system and mental distress is heavily dependent on culture. Professionals are advised to develop culturally sensitive intervention programs that consider specific ethnic community cultural values at workplaces to alleviate tension in the work-family system.

An Integrative Pause for Healthcare Personnel Challenged by the War: A Personal Perspective.

As the war in the Middle East intensifies, the support and well-being of healthcare practitioners (HCPs) become paramount to sustaining an effective healthcare system capable of serving the diverse Israeli population. In collaboration with the integrative medicine (IM) team, we initiated a treatment intervention with the goal to relieve war-related HCPs concerns. This trilogy of narratives highlights the multifaceted experiences of HCPs in Israel during times of conflict. The director of internal medicine ward with his conventional medical and leadership expertise, provides stability and order. The IM practitioner offers holistic healing and care. The nurse reflects on her experience of being cared for. These narratives illustrate the adaptability and resilience of healthcare professionals who navigate their roles with dedication and compassion, ensuring that amidst the strife, the human spirit remains cared for and supported.

A mutual aid group for pastoral care practitioners providing services to international migrant laborers

ABSTRACT In the days following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, a mutual aid group for pastoral care practitioners who serve international labor migrants (ILMs) was conducted virtually. This article describes the formation and proceedings of this brief mutual aid group for pastoral care practitioners. While describing the content that emerged during the three sessions, some important processes and dimensions of mutual aid groups are highlighted. Additionally, the article shares details about the valuable services rendered by pastoral care practitioners supporting ILMs, alongside the complexity, prolonged presence, and invisibility of ILMs in Israeli society at large. It argues that mutual aid groups are an effective intervention to support these professionals, who know firsthand the situation of ILMs and migrant communities and continued to care for them during the recent events and resulting war.

The evolving dynamics of Haredi Judaism in Israel: Ideological shifts and political influences

This article analysed the evolution of Haredi Judaism in Israel, highlighting its deep-rooted fundamentalist beliefs and its transformation from a marginalised group to a central force in Israeli society. As the fastest-growing demographic, the Haredi community exemplified the tension between fundamentalism and modernity. The study explored the defining characteristics, political ideologies and social influence of Haredi Judaism in Israel, detailing how it transitioned from insular religious enclaves to active participants in national politics. The article also examined the Haredi impact on Israeli-Palestinian relations, focusing on their influence on party politics, land disputes and Jerusalem-related issues.Contribution: The study enhanced the understanding of Haredi Judaism’s ideological evolution and political integration within Israeli society. It highlighted the Haredim’s influence in shaping Israel’s national identity and policy directions. Additionally, the research elucidated the significant impact of the Haredi community on Israeli-Palestinian relations.

"I want to succeed for her, so I can assure a better future for her": Parenting in Bedouin society in Israel.

Bedouin society in Israel is characterized as a marginalized minority (Muslim) society struggling to maintain its uniqueness in a Western (Jewish) dominant society. In this unique qualitative study, we aimed to shed light on the distinctive characteristics of Bedouin parenting practices in the context of social change by exploring Bedouin parents' accounts of factors contributing to or hampering their parenthood. Ninety-nine parents (Mage = 33.25, SD = 4.89) were interviewed about their parenting and their perceptions of Bedouin society. Interviews were analyzed using a phenomenological approach. Parents' accounts indicated a tension between preserving traditions, social norms, and religious rules that offer cohesion, comfort, and security and embracing individualistic values and cultural changes to promote social mobility for future generations. Bedouin mothers were conflicted between seeking self-fulfillment and meeting societal expectations. Whereas some emphasized investing time and effort in parenting as a form of ensuring their children's success, others saw investing in themselves as a means to improve family mobility. The findings suggest the need to be mindful of cultural values that are important to parents (e.g., maintaining traditions) and of barriers to help-seeking (e.g., viewing secular ideas as threats to religiously based social structures) when working with parents from minority indigenous societies such as the Bedouin. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Long-term recurrent exposure to excessive heat in the east Mediterranean and climate resilience development – a case study in Israel

This work studies long-term trends of observed meteorological parameters and of exposure to excessive heat over 74 years in Israel (1950–2023). We report an increasing trend of recurring exposure of the Israeli population to excessive heat during most of the summer noon hours, with the heat index often above the physiologically no-risk threshold. Specifically, since the beginning of the millennium, a significant increase in summertime decadal means of ambient noontime temperature (Ta), absolute humidity (AH), and heat index (HI) is evident relative to the 1950’s (Ta: 0.06 °C/year, AH: 0.06 g/m3year, HI: 0.09 °C/year). The experienced increase summertime thermal discomfort by the Israeli population results from the significant and synergistic increase in co-exposure to ambient temperature and humidity. Indeed, long-term satellite data (Landsat 1984–2021) of the east Mediterranean Sea Surface Temperature (SST) reveal a significant change (SST: 0.05 °C/year), which elucidates the corresponding increase in the absolute humidity. Leishmaniasis is a climate-related vector-borne infectious disease. However, the 1956–2017 leishmaniasis incidence rates in Israel do not correlate with the significant increase in the ambient temperature and heat index, representing development of climate resilience in terms of administrated prevention measures (namely, systematic adaptation) to this climate-related disease.

God Fights to Save the Nation of Israel: A Historical-Critical Review of Exodus 15:1-21

In the context of Israel’s liberation from Egyptian slavery, God is depicted as the victor who defeats Pharaoh through the drowning of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. God's power, surpassing that of Egypt, underscores that this deliverance was entirely the result of His might, without direct intervention from the people of Israel. Through the narrative of Exodus 15:1-21, the author highlights the relationship between the song of salvation sung by Moses and Miriam and the destruction experienced by Egypt. This song is an expression of gratitude for the victory granted by God, showing His favor towards the Israelites. The author hypothesizes that the destruction of the enemy is a manifestation of God’s glory as a Divine Warrior, who fights against sin and brings salvation to His people. The theoretical framework includes an etymological and terminological analysis of the concepts of warfare, salvation, and song in the biblical context. Warfare is seen as a divine act to display God's glory through victory over enemies. Salvation is understood as liberation from both physical and spiritual oppression, ultimately fulfilled in the name of Jesus Christ. Song, as an expression of thanksgiving, reinforces the theme of salvation in the Exodus narrative, where the Israelites celebrate their deliverance by praising God. Overall, this study affirms that the event of Israel’s liberation is central to the Old Testament’s salvation history, with God serving as the Savior and Warrior who brings victory to His people.

International Law in Gaza: Belligerent Intent and Provisional Measures

On October 7, 2023, Palestinian armed groups, chiefly Hamas's armed wing, breached the fence around the Gaza strip and launched attacks on Israeli territory. Over several hours, Palestinian fighters killed 1,269 people, mostly civilians, engaged in sexual violence and torture, and took 253 hostages. The same day, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “Israel is at war,” and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched air strikes and later a ground invasion of Gaza. In the eleven months since, Palestinian groups have continued to hold, mistreat, and kill hostages and launched rockets into Israel's population centers. Meanwhile, the IDF has killed an estimated forty-one thousand people in Gaza, mostly civilians, engaged in sexual violence and torture of Palestinian detainees, damaged or destroyed most of the food, water, and medical infrastructure, and restricted humanitarian access, with dire consequences. Civilian casualty experts argue the death toll (which excludes the likely greater number killed “indirectly” through disease and deprivation) far exceeds what we have come to expect from contemporary military campaigns. Both sides have committed violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), too many to list individually.