Avihai Chiim

Avihai Chiim is the health and welfare correspondent for Walla.


 (illustrative) Polish-born Holocaust survivor Meyer Hack shows his prisoner number tattooed on his arm. (Hack is unrelated to the contents of this article)

Proposed tax on foreign donations alarms NGOs aiding Holocaust survivors

 A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) man reads a newspaper.

Government to promote plan for integrating haredim into medical studies

 IDF soldiers operate in Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, May 8, 2025.

One-in-five IDF reservist couples considered divorce since October 7, poll finds


Like the spread of a virus: Doctors join widening protest against public sector salary cuts

This comes amid dozens of teachers and education staff who continued their "sick day" strike on Tuesday over planned budget cuts.

 An illustrative image of a nurse writing a prescription.

Elad Yanir wins International Bible Quiz for 2025

Israeli 10th grader Elad Yanir is a student at AMIT High School in Petah Tikva. His runner-up is Ilan Ram, who came from the Frish Yeshiva in the United States.

 Winner of the contest, Elad Yanir receiving his award from Israeli politicians

Opposition MKs join protesters demanding hostage deal at Habima Square, violence on Begin Street

The demonstration in Tel Aviv was also intensified due to the affidavit of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

 Protesters call for a hostage deal at Tel Aviv's Habima Square on April 21, 2025.

Tel Aviv resident diagnosed with measles, Health Ministry announces

Measles is a highly contagious virus that causes fever, malaise, nasal discharge and a rash, and it can lead to serious complications, including hospitalization and, in some cases, death.

An illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depicts the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

NGOs see dramatic increase in financial assistance requests from young people

"The sharp rise we are seeing in the number of aid recipients ahead of Passover is a clear and stark expression of the deepening distress in Israeli society," Pitchon Lev CEO Eli Cohen said.

 IFCJ PRESIDENT Yael Eckstein (center) visits a shelter in Kiryat Shmona. ‘I think it’s a very incorrect assumption to feel or think that we, in the rest of Israel, are not connected to what’s happening there.’

Suspected fertility mix-up leads father to learn he isn't daughter's biological parent

The family of the girl who may be his biological daughter has denied interest in contact.

 Sperm tubes are placed in bank to store genetic code, reproduction clones.

Young woman imprisoned in military jail under harsh conditions to be released on Passover Eve

"We took into account her severe mental state, which led to her being assigned a medical profile 21 [disqualifying her from military service]," the court ruling said.

 K. has been suffering from an eating disorder while in detention, even before.

Israel’s healthcare workforce lags behind OECD averages despite growth in doctors and nurses

Despite an increase in medical professionals, Israel’s healthcare workforce remains below the OECD average, highlighting ongoing challenges.

Doctor holds a stethoscope in front of a hospital background (illustrative)

Aliyah made easier: Israel opens fast-track absorption service at airport

From health insurance to identity cards — new immigrants now get it all intake forms done right at the airport.

 Over 4,000 new immigrants have joined Israel since the start of 2025.

Returned hostages to receive full disability rights, extra lifestyle benefits

This recognition is permanent and includes all rights in the mental, medical, employment, education, housing, car, full tax exemption, and other areas.

 LUIS HAR (far left) and Fernando Marman (center), two hostages rescued in a special forces operation in Rafah, Gaza, in February 2024, reunite with loved ones later in the day at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer.