The October 7 events and the ongoing war have inflicted profound trauma on both Jews and Arabs in Israel. Eleven months into the war, research shows that about a third of Israel’s population has developed PTSD, with half experiencing grief, depression and anxiety, with rates rising as the conflict continues.
Arab citizens of Israel have been deeply impacted by the conflict: they were among the victims and hostages, Arab villages in the North were evacuated, and communities in the South were directly impacted by the attacks on the 7th and faced ongoing threats of rockets with little protection. As a minority, Arabs are particularly vulnerable to adverse mental health outcomes during major trauma events and exhibit significantly higher rates of trauma-associated disorders as the war continues. Research suggests that the complex identity of Arab citizens, who grieve alongside their Israeli counterparts while acutely aware of the tragedy affecting their Palestinian friends and relatives, significantly contributes to their heightened distress. In addition, Arab society’s traumas are compounded by daily occurrences of violent crime as homicide rates continue to spiral in Arab communities.
Traumas like these challenge a community’s resilience, or overall ability to return to normalcy and even grow from the experience. While Israeli society is generally considered highly resilient during crises, Arab communities are less so. According to the Israeli Trauma Coalition effective trauma response and resilience development rely on three main pillars: emergency preparedness of the professionals, communal resilience development, and psychological support. However, the necessary infrastructure is sorely underdeveloped in Arab society. Chronic underfunding of public health services and lack of awareness has resulted in inadequate mental health infrastructure and capacities, a shortage of professionals and institutions, and underpreparedness of local authorities, leading to little access to essential care in Arab localities.
At the time of the crisis, Israel’s mental health system was already stretched thin. Battered by COVID-19 and severely understaffed, the system had over 70% of its funding for mental health organizations cut just before the conflict erupted. Adding to these challenges, Israel’s 2024 state budget proposes a NIS 400 M cut to the Health Ministry, effectively canceling a previously promised NIS 2 billion boost for mental health services.
The National Emergency Information Center for Arab society, set up shortly after Oct 7, sought to address urgent trauma response needs. Many civil society organizations working in Arab society also quickly adapted to provide trauma support. However, to build long-term capacities, deepen resiliency, and enhance access to professional mental health services, several organizations are looking at dedicated trauma and resilience centers as a model to grow in Arab society. Resilience centers provide clinical services to individuals while training professionals in trauma care and building community partnerships to create greater emergency preparedness and support networks.
Experts suggest that four fully operational centers are needed to adequately serve the Arab population. Currently, there is only one resilience center established by the Israel Trauma Coalition’s network serving Arab society, specifically the Negev Bedouin community. A new resilience center is opening in Umm al-Fahm in September 2024, that will serve over 100,000 residents in the Wadi Ara region. Two other organizations, Tamar Association in Rahat and Ma’ana Center (Nazareth Hospital), offer essential professional trauma therapy and support to Arab society.
This publication summarizes key issues related to the state of mental health of civilians and communal resilience in Arab society, particularly in the context of rising crime rates and the uncertainty of the unfolding war. It offers insights into the pre-existing vulnerabilities, the impact of the ongoing conflict, and a profile of the professional trauma and resilience organizations currently operating in Arab society.
Arab society in Israel is particularly vulnerable during major trauma events, exhibiting lower resilience at both communal and individual levels. Even prior to Oct 7th, psychological distress in Arab society was comparatively high, especially among women, young adults, and seniors. At the time, 75% of the general population reported no distress. Only 30% of Arabs could say the same, with 45% reporting severe distress, compared to just 14% of the broader population.
In the past, it was assumed that Arabs were slow to seek psychological treatment due to a lack of awareness and cultural stigma surrounding mental health. However, recent years have shown growing openness to seeking psychological support within Arab society. As Najla Asmar, a clinical psychologist at Ma’ana Center in Nazareth, notes: “When services are made available, people start to use them, and we’ve seen a steady increase in the number of referrals each year.” According to Eran Emotional First Aid Association’s report, their dedicated Arabic-language helpline now receives around 2,300 inquiries annually, reflecting this shift.
Despite the need and rising demand, gaps remain, including limited healthcare access, fewer coping resources, financial constraints, and socio-political pressures. The National Emergency Information Center (EIC), established in Kfar Kassem after the onset of the war to coordinate emergency response and provide community resilience training in Arab localities, was closed in May 2024. Currently, out of 12 resilience centers in Israel, only one has been serving the Arab society, specifically the Negev Bedouin community, with one more opening shortly. Of 19 residential mental health treatment facilities, covered by the national health funds, only two are designated for Arab speakers.
A national shortage of mental health professionals further exacerbates these challenges. A report by the Israel Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Association highlighted that nearly half of the psychiatrists at surveyed hospitals had left their positions over the past four years without replacements. Only 3% of psychologists in Israel are from Arab communities leaving many Arab mental health facilities understaffed. Of these, only few are trained to provide trauma-focused therapy, leaving critical gaps in mental health services that require mother-tongue treatments to provide effective relief.
Uneven distribution of government funding and a severe shortage of professionals in northern and southern regions especially result in long travel distances and wait times exceeding a year for appointments. A 2023 Adva Center report warned that neglect of these issues, compounded by pre-pandemic deficiencies, would disproportionately impact low-income individuals and communities, further exacerbating mental health disparities and overall lag in community resilience.
Recent research to document the mental health impact of the attacks and the war shows about a third of Israel’s population suffering from PTSD, and half experiencing depression and anxiety – a trend that continues to worsen. According to a nationwide prospective study, two months into the war, 25.1% of Jews and 52.5% of Arabs had probable PTSD. For depression and anxiety, Jews and Arab demonstrate similar diagnostic rates, double those recorded prior to the war. Women, in particular young mothers, suffer from higher rates of postpartum depression. In addition, the National Council for the Child reported a 33% increase in anxiety diagnoses among youth aged 12-17, and a rise in suicide attempts, with expectations of that these will continue to rise.
Research consistently shows that Arabs in Israel differ from Jews in their coping strategies and resources, leading to lower resilience and a greater psychological burden in the face of trauma. Jews reported higher exposure to war events but were less interested in mental health support, whereas Arabs, despite facing stigma and limited resources, were more likely to seek help and preferred group therapy and medical treatment. As the war unfolds, Arab citizens show higher rates of probable PTSD, depression, and anxiety than Jews.
Arabs also face higher rates of mental health issues compared to Jewish citizens due to pre-existing stressors, such as slower recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, high crime rates, and socio-economic challenges. While violence is often measured by the number of murders, each statistic represents an individual connected to a broader network of family, friends, and neighbors. Every murder sends ripples of trauma through these communities. This concern was underscored by Mahmoud Nassar, coordinator for violence prevention, during a Knesset committee discussion on July 18. He highlighted that the situation is particularly dire for Arab youth, who are facing a significant increase in mental health issues amid a severe shortage of child and adolescent therapists. Shifa Al-Sana, head of the welfare department in Lakiya, is sure that this perpetuates a cycle of violence: “These children witness violence and murders, but no one pays attention to them, <…> they aren’t given the opportunity to release this burden. <…> When children grow up with a sense of fear, insecurity, and distrust, <…> they may grow up to become criminals or future victims.”
Against the backdrop of rising crime, gender-based violence is on the rise, and the true extent of the phenomenon will become clearer after the war. A third of all femicide cases in 2023 occurred after Oct 07th events, with the Israel Observatory on Femicide reporting that women’s murders reached an all-time high that year. The easing of firearm regulations has raised concerns, particularly regarding increased risks for women in households with firearms. Additionally, the prioritization of war-related cases by welfare services has left women facing abuse more isolated, as social worker visits have become less frequent. Factors such as war trauma, economic stress, and extended periods of men being at home have contributed to this increase nationwide. Arab women are particularly vulnerable due to pre-existing economic stress, lack of awareness, and limited access to welfare and public services. Statistics show Arab women account for 50% of the femicides in Israel.
The war sparked tensions among Jews and Arabs. Stigmas about the Arab population as the “internal enemy” intensified and fueled dismissals, scrutiny, and a “witch-hunt” atmosphere for Arab citizens. The complex identity of Arab citizens—caught between their ties to the Palestinian people and their citizenship in Israel—adds significant psychological strain. “The uniqueness of the complexity we are experiencing now is in the vulnerability that this society has come to war with – and also in identity. When the person who shoots you and kidnaps your loved ones speaks the same language and shares a history with you – it adds to the complexity and trauma,” shares Ibrahim Al-Tauna, an expert educational psychologist and director of the Resilience Center for the Bedouin Society. This duality has become more pronounced during the war, as Arab citizens struggle to reconcile their pain over the destruction in Gaza with their daily interactions with Jews. Increased intercommunal tension and low levels of trust between Jews and Arabs inhibit individual and communal resilience.
In the South, an already vulnerable Bedouin population is exposed to multiple war-related traumas. The October 7th infiltration and the constant proximity to rocket attacks have instilled a pervasive sense of fear and insecurity. By far the poorest populations in Israel, Bedouins face heightened challenges due to socio-economic disparities and ongoing violence. With no shelters and limited warning systems and coverage by iron-dome, Bedouin communities in the Negev were at greater risk from rocket attacks. Physical injuries and property damage due to lack of adequate protection contributed to high levels of PTSD and trauma. The situation is more severe in unrecognized villages, where residents live in makeshift structures with limited access to services, and are subject to ongoing home demolitions.
Research from the School of Health Sciences at Ashkelon Academic College found that Bedouins were six times more likely to develop PTSD compared to Jews. According to Ibrahim Al-Tauna, there has been a sharp increase of over 50% in requests for support from the Resilience Center for the Bedouin Society.
Northern Israel has a significant Arab population, including Druze communities. Those closest to the border with Lebanon are experiencing mental health challenges due to their proximity to active conflict zones and lack of protected spaces, leaving them feeling “paralyzed,” says Khalil Basal, an engineer from Fassuta, “no schools, no work, booms every day, and the people are constantly looking at the sky in fear. We should be evacuated.” Communities that have been communities experience ongoing uncertainty and trauma associated with displacement. The uncertainty surrounding their return to homes, many of which have been damaged, compounds this anxiety.
The Druze community, which has a notable presence in the IDF, has suffered significant losses since October 7, including the most recent tragedy in Majdal Shams. This, coupled with damage to homes and agricultural lands due to Hezbollah shelling, intensifies the psychological strain on these communities. The fear of ongoing conflict and its repercussions on daily life is a major mental health concern, with residents facing increased stress related to both personal and communal safety.
In recent years, the COVID pandemic, crime wave, Oct 7 and the ongoing war have made gaps in trauma and resilience services in Arab society more evident. Overall, Arab society lacks infrastructure along the three areas defined by the Israel Trauma Coalition as key for trauma response and resilience:
There is a recognized need for supportive spaces staffed by professionals capable of employing culturally sensitive assessments and interventions where complex anxieties and emotions can be shared openly. Such services help prevent the development of chronic symptoms and disorders within the community.
In addition to addressing individual trauma, there is a critical need to prepare communities for emergency scenarios. Arab localities across Israel are often poorly equipped to respond to trauma in the community. For instance, a report by the Follow-Up Committee on Arab Education in Israel (2023) found that only 11% of Arab schools and educational institutions are prepared for emergencies.
To foster recovery and growth, it is crucial to equip communities with the tools and leadership needed for community rehabilitation after loss, identifying processes that promote resilience, and implementing mechanisms for memory preservation, commemoration, and continued growth. Additionally, addressing barriers to community development and facilitating learning from traumatic events are essential for long-term recovery.
In the immediate wake of October 7, the National Emergency Information Center for Arab Local Authorities (EIC) was established to coordinate emergency response efforts and strengthen the resilience of Arab communities. High on their list was trauma and mental health response, recognizing that most Arab localities had little preparedness or access to crisis services. Their initiatives aimed to create the needed infrastructure while providing urgent services. This included training for local authority staff, development implementation of local intervention models for community resilience and mental first aid, mental health campaigns and kits for families, teacher training, and a hotline. Local authorities and civil society organizations also sought to fill mental health gaps by establishing hotlines, providing information in Arabic, training staff and volunteers, and supporting families. The EIC was closed in May, and civil society organizations and local authorities continue to provide emergency services.
Experts suggest that at least four resilience centers are necessary to adequately serve the Arab population in Israel. Currently, among the 12 centers in Israel, operated by the ITC, only one serves the Arab society—specifically the Negev Bedouin community, with some centers in Jewish cities also serving both Arab and Jewish communities in the North and South, as is the situation with the East Galilee center working with the Druze. Two other organizations, Tamar Association in Rahat and Ma’ana Center (Nazareth Hospital), offer essential professional trauma therapy and support to Arab society. The launch of a new ITC-operated resilience center in Umm al-Fahem this Fall is particularly timely. More than half of the Arab population in Israel lives in the North, where 40% of the localities are Arab. While the center will offer comprehensive support, its primary focus will be on responding to violence and trauma, with ad hoc response addressing war-related issues.
Below is a brief description of each of these organizations.
Based in the English hospital in Nazareth, the Ma’an Association provides linguistically and culturally-suited psychological and trauma-related support and awareness raising in the region. Since October 7th, requests for services have grown exponentially. Ma’an has used emergency funds to add and train professional staff to meet demand and expand their areas of activity. Today they provide psychological support and treatment, workshops, and are beginning research in the field of emergency support and psychological treatment.
The Resilience Center for the Bedouin Community was established in 2016 in Beer Sheva, following the military conflict in 2014. The center is unique for recognizing that the community suffers from crime and violence as much as from war-associated traumas. The center is operated by the Israeli Trauma Coalition in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Welfare, the Home Front Command, the Authority for Development and Settlement of the Bedouin in the Negev, and with support from the National Emergency Authority, and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).
One of the primary goals of the center was to enhance awareness and accessibility of mental health treatment for the Bedouin community and to train professionals specializing in trauma. Prior to this, there were no such resources within the Bedouin society. Now, the center continues to provide emotional and mental support, promoting community resilience and training therapists and agents involved in the Negev community rehabilitation. One of the recent programs, “Shluchot,” provides remote localities with a center representative who coordinates on-site visits, offering access to the center’s services without requiring residents to travel long distances. In 2022, the Resilience Center for the Bedouin Society received a total budget of approximately NIS 7 M for 2022 – 2026.
Ibrahim Al-Atauna, director of the center, shares that his role at the Resilience Center for the Bedouin Community gives him a sense of mission. “I feel that we are a pioneering service. The resilience center provides the Bedouin community with a sense of visibility and focuses on its resilience. I believe there is a close connection between mental well-being and good citizenship. This gives me meaning—every day I contribute to my community, improve well-being, and strive to create a better future. All of this gives me great meaning and drive.”
Following the war, the center launched a trauma-focused psychotherapy program, recruiting 16 social workers from the Bedouin community and training them as trauma specialists. One notable development is the introduction of specialized therapy groups for religious leaders, reflecting the increasing awareness and demand for mental health services within the community.
Tamar, founded by care workers, aims to deliver culturally accessible psychosocial and educational services to children, youth, teens, and adults in Bedouin communities in the Negev. Their mission focuses on enhancing personal resilience and community unity by providing innovative care during routine times, crises, and wars. Member of the ITC, Tamar serves around 1,800 individuals from both the Bedouin and broader Arab communities, Tamar offers programs that address crisis management, trauma response, and emotional resilience. The organization collaborates with various government departments, local municipalities, and community leaders to ensure effective support.
The team consists of professionals from the Bedouin community with expertise in culturally adapting various disciplines, including clinical and educational psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists, communication and occupational therapists, art therapists, and resilience group leaders.
Since the war began, the association has reached over 77,280 people, about 25% of the Bedouin community. Given the high need for emotional support following October 7th, Tamar plans to expand its outreach to continue providing essential care.
In response to the escalating crime and gun violence in Arab society, with 144 victims since the start of 2024, a new Resilience Center is set to open in Umm al-Fahem in September 2024. This center is an initiative aimed at addressing the urgent need for trauma and mental health support for over 100,000 residents in the Wadi Ara region. With violence increasingly occurring in broad daylight, the psychological toll on the community has intensified, making this center’s establishment a crucial intervention.
The creation of the Resilience Center is the result of two years of dedicated efforts by the Umm al-Fahem municipality and a decade of field work conducted by the ITC, in collaboration with government bodies, civil society organizations, and local authorities. In September 2023, the Ministry for Social Equality launched a tender to enhance mental health services in Arab communities. By May 2024, Umm al-Fahem secured NIS 1.9 M annual budget from the GR-550 socio-economic budget plan to establish the center. The municipality is required to raise additional funding needed for equipment.
The center will feature three therapy rooms, including a dedicated space for children’s therapy, and will initially be staffed by four professionals. While the center will offer comprehensive support, its primary focus will be on responding to violence and trauma, and then ad hoc response addressing war-related issues.
In partnership with the Mishur aHof Regional Council and the Israeli Trauma Coalition, the center will focus on building emergency response capacities, community resilience in the face of trauma, and clinical psychological help infrastructures, offering services to both professionals at local authorities, individuals and communities.
Services will be provided to professionals by developing a model with the local authorities to manage emergencies and crises, and to individuals and families through group treatments, individual therapy, and community-level resilience initiatives. The center also plans to actively market its services across various platforms to ensure widespread community engagement and support.
Currently, the center is recruiting and onboarding a professional team, including a director, clinic coordinator, social coordinator, secretary, and mental health specialists, to provide comprehensive services.
Despite these advancements, the center faces challenges, including a shortage of qualified mental health professionals from within the community and a lack of awareness about mental health issues, exacerbated by fears of stigma. To overcome these barriers, the Resilience Center will focus on outreach and education to raise awareness of mental health’s importance and the services available, and in partnership with the Israel Trauma Center provide necessary training to the professionals.
Do you need support integrating these resources and issues into your philanthropic, communal, or Israel education work? Reach out for consultations, connections to experts, program support, training, or to plan your next event or mission. If you’ve used our resources, tell us about your experience!
Do you need support integrating these resources and issues into your philanthropic, communal, or Israel education work? Reach out for consultations, connections to experts, program support, training, or to plan your next event or mission. If you’ve used our resources, tell us about your experience!