Women's Shelters in Israel Are Still Operating as Usual

The doorbell rang at the shelter for women, “Good Morning, we are from NTD News”.

This shelter for women in Tel Aviv has been in operation since 1996, and there are a dozen more like it scattered across Israel. 

Women who arrive here go through a rehabilitation process, after which some of them are able to return to their normal lives.

Angelina (pseudonym) has been here for 3 months to escape violent behavior at home. 

She found security for herself and for her daughter here.

[Angelina, Female Shelter Resident]: 

“I had problems with my husband, alcohol, violence, lack of self-control. All of which caused me to get up, give up on everything and leave. For women with similar problems, this place is just so supportive and important. Here I have been able to strengthen and purify myself and I will take that with me wherever I go.”

Shoshanna (pseudonym), 23, a mother of 2 children, has been staying at the shelter for a very short time. 

She arrived here following her partner’s violent behavior towards her and her daughters.

[Shoshanna, Female Shelter Resident]: 

“There are people whom I can lean on here… you’ll get help here, and you get to have  things you always wanted and dreamed of. Such places should not be shut down, because there are women who take a long time to gather enough courage… if these places are closed, they will keep silent until the rate of murders in our country and around the world rises to a great extent.”

Women arriving in the shelters are mostly from disadvantaged areas where people are having the greatest difficulties.

Recently, media reports say that the management of these shelters will be handed out to tender and will operate at a fixed price.

A tender involves publishing the job requirements in the newspapers, inviting any company to bid on the job. 

A government committee reviews all the offers and their parameters and then selects the one it considers the best.

In fact, every five years these shelters are handed out to tenders, to be managed by external service providers. 

Yael Harmel, family welfare service manager, Ministry of Social Affairs, explains the situation today regarding tenders

[Yael Harmel, Welfare Services Manager]: 

“About half a year ago we came with a renewed tender. During the past 5 years, the shelters have been operating under various associations. However, not all shelters and not all of the managing associations had won the tenders lawfully. This is the current situation”.

In such a situation a paradox may occur, in which an organization that has never run a shelter before might win the tender, whereas those who did operate shelters before and have acquired knowledge and experience, might not win the tender.

The Israeli Ministry of Welfare, as any other public body financed by public funds, is required by law to issue a tender in such cases. 

This means that any external company may participate in the tender and offer itself for executing the job. 

The ministry then would compare the offers received and choose the company that could provide the best terms for carrying out the project.

[Yael Harmel, Welfare Services Manager]: 

“I think that from this day on, it will force the managing associations to improve the accommodation conditions and place more emphasis on the living conditions of women.” 

However, this shelter has won a tender.

The shelter manager explains:

[Ruth Ozery, Director, Shelter for Battered Women]: 

“Six shelters did not pass the basic requirements of the tender. But I must say that the Ministry of Welfare, as far as I know, never meant to shut down even a single shelter, as it recognizes their importance. There is a population in need, which must be treated in shelters.”

There is no arguing that these shelters provide protection, security and support for women in distress.

Reporter:Janet Zrian          Photographer:David Bershadsky and Rani Shoket

NTD News, Israel