Victims of Hostile (Terrorist) Acts in Israel: The Challenge of Providing Comprehensive Assistance and Care
By Uri Yanay
The Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
Israeli society is very sensitive to the fate of those individuals and families who were victimized in hostile (terrorist)acts against the state. The article focuses on the challenge of providing comprehensive assistance and care to these casualties: severely handicapped children, youth, adults and old persons, widows, bereaved families, witnesses and survivors. The article includes four sections. The first section introduces the traditional role of welfare agencies in caring for disaster victims. The second section focuses on the policy and services designed for victims of hostile acts in Israel. The third part of this article focuses on the personal characteristics and the needs of victims of terrorism and their families. In recent years some families were victimized while shopping or traveling together. Caring for their needs presents a professional challenge. The fourth section highlights selected issues that are associated with transforming policy principles into support and care programs for victims of hostile (terrorist) acts in Israel. The public expects swift, comprehensive and generous care programs for these victims. Their short and long term needs are considered in planning care plans. Broad margins of discretion are left to the professionals involved.
Arab and foreign residents who were victimized in a hostile act may require special attention and cultural understanding, as does the community in which the tragedy took place. Finally, the helpers who are involved in this program may need some help themselves because of compassion fatigue that characterizes many caregivers.