The central resilience centers currently operating throughout the country – in the gaza envelope communities, in judea and Samaria, in Ashkelon, in Netivot, in the Eastern Galilee, in the Western Galilee, as well as the Bedouin Center and the National Center – will continue to operate during 2026. The government approved today (Sunday) the Ministry of Health‘s proposal aimed at strengthening the civilian resilience of Israel’s residents and emergency preparedness. The bill was submitted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Health Minister Uzi Netanyahu, and the Minister in the Ministry of Finance responsible for the rehabilitation of the North and South, Ze’ev Elkin.
For the continued operation of the resilience centers, NIS 33.66 million will be allocated by the Ministry of Health in 2026. Part of the budget for operating the resilience centers will be transferred to the Ministry of Health from the budgets of other ministries: the Ministry of Welfare and Social Services, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry for National Security, the prime minister’s Office, and the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration. These budgets are in addition to budgets already approved as part of government decisions, such as: the plan for the development and rehabilitation of the city of Ashkelon and the plan for the development and rehabilitation of the Western Negev.
In addition, the Ministry of Health will allocate an additional NIS 30 million to further expand the activities of the resilience centers, in accordance with the approved work plan of the centers for this year. Furthermore, an additional NIS 15 million will be allocated from the Tnu’fa Administration to promote a plan for the rehabilitation and development of the North following the War of Return, in order to reinforce the activities of the resilience centers in the North, which are part of the effort to enable the return of residents to their homes.
In the proposed decision submitted to the government, the Ministry of Health stated that the fact that Israel constantly faces security challenges affects, among other things, the psychological resilience of the population. In these circumstances, a professional methodology has been developed in Israel for strengthening psychological and community resilience, dealing with the human-psychological aspect, stemming from emergency situations and what is defined as “emergency routine.” This methodology includes providing focused trauma counseling aimed at helping individuals, families, and groups return to emotional balance and functioning – and preventing the development of chronic post-trauma.
The resilience center also deals with strengthening community resilience, enhancing municipal coping resources, and preparing for emergencies. Within this framework, the resilience centers maintain active interfaces with educational and welfare bodies regarding work with youth and other populations, under structured intervention programs and joint policy documents of the relevant professionals in the participating government ministries.
The Ministry of Health states that the resilience center is a highly significant component in strengthening the capabilities of authorities in the area of population resilience at all stages of an emergency, and that organizational structures and various models are required, adapted to regions, the size of authorities, and different sectors of Israeli society.
Currently, 15 resilience centers operate in Israel: five municipal centers provide services to residents of the Gaza envelope communities, four regional centers in Judea and Samaria, a regional resilience center provides services to the Bedouin society in the South, and a municipal resilience center operates in Ashkelon, a regional resilience center in Netivot, Ben Shimon and Merhavim, and a center in Ofakim, as well as the National Resilience Center. In addition, two more centers operate based on agreements with local authorities: a resilience center in the Eastern Galilee cluster and a resilience center in the Western Galilee cluster.
The decision proposal approved by the government stipulates that the operation of the resilience centers will be carried out in accordance with the policy of the inter-ministerial steering committee, led by the Ministry of Health and comprising representatives of the participating ministries.
Health Minister Uzi Netanyahu: “The resilience centers provide professional and accessible psychological support to the population, and constitute a vital infrastructure for strengthening community resilience and maintaining treatment continuity in areas that have been continuously affected. The continued operation of the centers and the expansion of their activities in 2026 will ensure the availability of quality treatment in the field, strengthen the coping abilities of communities and authorities, and help the population return to full functioning – in routine and in emergencies.”
Minister in the Ministry of Finance responsible for the rehabilitation of the North and South, Ze’ev Elkin: “The continued operation in an expanded format of the resilience centers in the North is an integral part of the national rehabilitation and the restoration of a sense of security for the residents of the region.
Therefore, the Tnu’fa Administration has mobilized to provide a dedicated budget of NIS 15 million to strengthen the activities of resilience centers in the North of the country. After long months of fighting and security challenges, we are committed not only to rebuilding homes and infrastructure but also to strengthening the psychological and community resilience of the citizens. We will continue to work together with the Ministry of Health and the local authorities to ensure Israeli citizens professional support, in routine and in emergencies alike.”
Director-General of the Ministry of Health Moshe Bar Siman Tov: “The resilience centers are a vital national infrastructure for strengthening the psychological and community resilience of Israel’s citizens, and constitute a central component in the public’s readiness to cope with emergency situations. Their continued operation in 2026 reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Health and the entire government to provide professional and accessible support to populations dealing with complex psychological situations following the war, in full cooperation with government ministries and local authorities. This investment is a direct investment in our national resilience and in strengthening our readiness for emergencies.”