Avihai Chiim

Avihai Chiim is the health and welfare correspondent for Walla .

 Illustration photo of Super Pharm drug store and pharmacy at the Hadar mall in Jerusalem, on April 30, 2018.

New immigrant pharmacists face discrimination, lack of gov't support despite professional shortage

A daycare teacher plays with children at a WIZO daycare center.

Israel's Knesset pushes to create daycare oversight authority after Jerusalem tragedy

 Israeli soldiers at a staging area near the Israeli border with Lebanon, northern Israel, October 21, 2023

Seven arrested for allegedly defrauding Israel’s wartime evacuation grants


Millions of Israelis, including 900,000 children, live in poverty, NII report for 2024 shows

Poverty rates remain especially high among Arab and haredi populations, who together account for 65.1% of people in poverty, nearly double their share of the population.

 ABOUT 41% of Jerusalem families suffer from poverty, compared to about 20% in the rest of the country.

Ben-Gurion University tops list of on-time graduates in Israel, new ranking reveals

According to the report, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) recorded Israel’s highest on-time graduation rate, with 91%, followed by Bar-Ilan University at 87%

Graduates celebrate at a commencement ceremony at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, which is fielding a growing number of inquiries from Americans interested in enrolling for college at the university in Beersheva, Israel.

Baby food aid requests rose 25% in 2025, infant formula prices climb, Social Bank reports

Data from the National Insurance Institute found that 2.8 million Israelis currently live with food insecurity, including over a million children.

An illustration of a mother feeding a baby a bottle of formula.

October 7 survivor testifies she was raped in 2011, says courts 'hand out gag orders like candy'

Michal Gadisman, who said she previously worked as a senior secretary for former minister Silvan Shalom, also testified, alleging he sexually assaulted her years ago. 

 Yesh Atid MK Meirav Cohen.

Knesset advances bill to recognize Israeli Sign Language as first language of deaf people

The bill would formally recognize Israeli Sign Language while maintaining the status of other sign languages used in Israel. It would also require the state to preserve, develop, and promote ISL.

Deaf actors using sign language communicate backstage prior to their performance "Luna Park" at the "Nalaga’at Theater" in the Tel Aviv-Jaffo port, March 18, 2012.

Assault survivors describe delays, judgment, and lack of care in Knesset testimony

During the session, Ben-Gvir clashed with opposition members and declared his attendance was “to give you a chance,” before promptly exiting.

 Sexual assault (Illustrative)

Israeli health officials call for sanctions on anti-vaxxers as flu morbidity rate rises

Only 17% of Israelis have been vaccinated; health fund CEOs are divided over sanctions versus accessibility.

A patient at a Maccabi Health Center in Jerusalem receives a vaccination against the 'H1N1' swine flu. Israeli health authorities has started vaccinating the population against swine flu. December 20, 2009.

Israel must leave World Health Organization, Knesset's new health committee chair says

MK Limor Son Har-Melech’s push to withdraw Israel from the WHO drew backlash from health leaders, who warned of risks to public health and international ties.

  The World Health Organization (WHO) logo is seen near its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, February 2, 2023.

Israel urges immediate vaccination as flu morbidity rises, orders 485,000 more vaccine doses

While the vaccine does not entirely prevent infection, it significantly reduces the risk of serious illness and related complications.

Flu shot

Four-year-old dies from flu in Israel's North in fifth fatal case this year

The Health Ministry emphasized that morbidity from the flu is on the rise and is calling on the public to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

 A member of the medical staff receives a flu vaccine at the department where patients suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Havelhoehe community hospital in Berlin, Germany, October 30, 2020.