Health

By Pesach Benson • January 20, 2026

Jerusalem, 20 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Perceptions of unfairness play a central role in intensifying and prolonging psychological trauma following war, offering new insight into why some survivors struggle to recover long after the immediate danger has passed, according to an Israeli study.

Exposure alone doesn’t explain lasting trauma. Two people can endure similar events, but the one who internalizes a sense of injustice is far more likely to suffer ongoing symptoms, researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found.

The longitudinal research was conducted in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attack and the subsequent war, examining how cognitive patterns known as perceived injustice shape responses to trauma. Perceived injustice refers to the belief that one’s suffering is unfair, irreversible, and cannot be adequately repaired.

Led by Dr. Gadi Gilam, head of the translational Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience (tSCAN) lab at the Hebrew University’s Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, the study followed nearly 1,700 Israeli participants beginning three months after the attack. More than 600 participants completed follow-up assessments six months later. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Affective Disorders.

Participants reported their exposure and proximity to traumatic events, levels of traumatic stress symptoms, perceptions of injustice, and emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and anger. According to the researchers, the results were consistent and striking across both time points.

“As individuals perceived their suffering as more unfair and irreparable, they reported higher levels of traumatic stress symptoms,” the study found. Importantly, perceived injustice predicted future severity of traumatic symptoms even after accounting for direct exposure to violence and other emotional distress indicators.

“In the aftermath of trauma, we often focus on emotions like fear or sadness,” Dr. Gilam said. “Our findings demonstrate that a sense of unfairness can be just as damaging, if not more so. When people believe that what happened to them or to others was particularly unjust and cannot be amended, it can prolong suffering and make it harder to heal.”

The study also tracked changes in emotional responses over time. While levels of traumatic stress, perceived injustice, depression, and anxiety remained largely stable between January and July 2024, anger increased significantly during that period.

According to Dr. Gilam, this pattern underscores the enduring nature of injustice-related thinking. “Perceived injustice may serve as a persistent cognitive prism, shaping how survivors interpret ongoing events and their emotional aftermath,” he said. Anger, the researchers noted, is the most common emotional response to injustice and may represent an additional target for therapeutic intervention.

The study’s findings have clear practical implications, showing how understanding and addressing perceptions of injustice can directly improve trauma treatment and recovery.

For clinicians, the research suggests that trauma care can be strengthened by explicitly addressing perceived injustice. By helping patients reframe beliefs that their suffering is unfair or irreparable, therapists can reduce prolonged traumatic stress. At the same time, targeting anger — which the study found increases over time even when other symptoms remain stable — may prevent trauma from becoming chronic and improve emotional regulation.

Beyond the therapy room, early identification of individuals at risk is also critical. Screening for injustice-driven thought patterns can reveal those most likely to experience long-term trauma, even if they initially appear resilient. Training first responders, social workers, and caregivers to recognize these patterns enables timely intervention and supports more effective, preventative mental health care.

The findings also suggest that post-conflict mental health programs can support recovery by acknowledging harm, restoring a sense of agency, and fostering dialogue.

By Pesach Benson • January 19, 2026

Jerusalem, 19 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Fifty-five toddlers were hospitalized Monday after apparently inhaling a toxic substance at a private kindergarten in jerusalem, with two infants in critical condition. Authorities suspect carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can be particularly dangerous in enclosed spaces.

The two critically injured babies, both four months old, were found unconscious and without a pulse. Emergency teams performed intensive CPR before evacuating them to Shaare Zedek and Hadassah Mount Scopus hospitals. The remaining children — between four months and three-years-old — were also taken for medical evaluation, some suffering from respiratory distress.

Speculation on the cause centers on a faulty heating system. The kindergarten was operating without a license in a private home, and Israeli media reports said police detained three of the caregivers for questioning.

“There were dozens of babies in the building,” said Magen David Adom (MDA) volunteer Dr. Menachem Estrik. “We began performing scans and providing medical care to the babies while loading them into MDA ambulances and intensive care units and evacuating them to hospitals in the city for further medical treatment.”

MDA paramedic Nadav Taib described the scene as “a serious incident.” He said, “We were called to the scene to treat a four-month-old baby who was found unconscious, without a pulse, and not breathing. We began by providing medical treatment, which included performing CPR and evacuation, and then we were called back to treat another baby in the same condition. We rushed to the scene with large MDA forces that arrived in ambulances and intensive care vehicles and began evacuating all the babies who were there. MDA teams are on site and are prepared to provide medical treatment if necessary.”

Initial assessments by the Jerusalem Fire and Rescue Department and the Hazardous Materials Unit did not detect any toxic substances at the scene. “Following examination by Fire & Rescue personnel, there is no indication of a hazardous materials incident,” a department spokesperson said.

Orly Silvinger, CEO of the Beterm Child Safety Organization, emphasized the risks for children. “The unfortunate incident that occurred this morning in Jerusalem is particularly worrying given that toddlers do not consume hazardous substances by choice, but through accidental exposure. We are in the winter period, when heating increases the risk of poisoning. Use safe heating devices such as air conditioners or radiators, and ensure ventilation even when the room is heated. I appeal to parents: do not say ‘it won’t happen to me.’ The responsibility for the safety of our children lies with us and the adults around them.”

By TPS-IL • January 18, 2026

Jerusalem, 18 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — For the first time, scientists have identified the specific cells that allow severely damaged tissue to regenerate after widespread destruction, a discovery that could change how Cancer relapse is prevented, researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science told The Press Service of Israel.

Their study, recently published in the peer-reviewed Nature Communications, focuses on a phenomenon known for decades as “compensatory proliferation” — the ability of tissue to regrow after radiation wipes out large numbers of cells. The effect was first observed in the 1970s in fruit flies, but until now, scientists did not know which cells were responsible or how the process worked at a molecular level.

Professor Eli Arama from the Department of Molecular Genetics at the Weizmann Institute, who supervised the study, told TPS-IL that while the phenomenon itself was not new, seeing the process unfold at the cellular level was unprecedented.

“The phenomenon was identified 50 years ago. It was understood that not all cells die after radiation. Some survive, divide, and recreate the tissue. But no one actually saw these cells. We were able to identify them for the first time,” he said.

Using advanced genetic tools and live tracking in fruit fly tissue, the researchers discovered a small population of cells that activate the early stages of the cellular self-destruct program, known as apoptosis, but then stop short of dying. These cells survive radiation, multiply rapidly, and drive the rebuilding of the damaged tissue.

“They became visible about 24 hours after radiation, and within the following 24 hours the entire tissue is rebuilt,” Arama explained.

At the heart of the discovery are caspases, enzymes best known for executing cell death. The study found that in these regeneration-driving cells, caspases are activated but then restrained, allowing the cells to survive while still triggering signals that promote growth in neighboring cells. The result is a tightly controlled burst of regeneration, rather than uncontrolled growth.

This balance is critical, and it may help explain a troubling pattern seen in cancer treatment. Tumors that return after radiation therapy are often more aggressive and resistant to further treatment. According to the researchers, the same survival mechanism that enables healthy tissue to regenerate may also be exploited by cancer cells.

“Cancer appears to use a similar mechanism. But now that we understand the mechanism that allows these cells to survive, we may be able to manipulate it so they do not,” Arama said.

According to a statement by the Weizmann Institute, the implications extend well beyond basic biology. By learning how to selectively block survival in cancer cells, scientists hope to improve radiation therapy outcomes.

At the same time, the findings could guide new strategies in regenerative medicine, accelerating healing after injury or surgery. In particular, the research raises the potential of improving healing for burns, surgical recovery, and organ injuries, while enhancing lab-grown tissues and organ transplants.

Moreover, by activating or mimicking the tissue “resurrection” pathways, it may be possible to slow or reverse damage in cases of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

“That is why understanding this mechanism is so important,” Arama said, “with the hope that in the coming years it can be applied clinically.”

By Pesach Benson • January 15, 2026

Jerusalem, 15 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — When treatment for childhood cancer ends, the emotional consequences often continue long afterward, according to a new Israeli study that points to persistent psychological distress among both survivors and their parents more than a year after therapy has been completed.

The study, conducted jointly by Bar-Ilan University and Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, found that symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression remain common well into survivorship. The findings highlight the long-term psychological burden of pediatric cancer, even after medical recovery is achieved.

An estimated 400,000 children and adolescents develop cancer every year, according to the World Health Organization. Survival rates have improved dramatically in recent decades, but they vary sharply by region. In high-income countries, more than 80 percent of children diagnosed with cancer have a five-year survival rate, but in poorer areas, survival rates are frequently below 30 percent.

The research was led by Maya Yardeni, a PhD student at Bar-Ilan University and a senior psychologist in the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Division at Sheba Medical Center. Supervising the study were Sheba’s Prof. Dalit Modan-Moses and Prof. Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon of Bar-Ilan’s Department of Psychology. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Pediatric Research.

Researchers stressed that trauma in pediatric cancer does not stem from a single violent incident but from prolonged exposure to fear, invasive medical procedures, repeated hospitalizations, and constant uncertainty. These experiences can leave lasting emotional scars for children and their families.

“Even after treatment is over, children and their parents can continue to experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression,” said Hasson-Ohayon, who heads Bar-Ilan’s Rehabilitation Psychology Lab. “Pediatric cancer is a shared journey of uncertainty and fear. Our study shows how critical it is to screen both children and parents and provide ongoing emotional support long into survivorship.”

Unlike many other medical conditions, pediatric cancer is experienced jointly by children and their caregivers. Parents accompany their children through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, sharing the ongoing sense of threat and loss of control. Over time, this shared exposure can translate into enduring psychological distress for both parties.

To explore these effects, the researchers conducted a cross-sectional study involving 118 childhood cancer survivors between the ages of 7 and 21, along with their parents. All participants were at least one year past the completion of treatment. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression were assessed using validated questionnaires, alongside medical and sociodemographic data drawn from hospital records.

By collecting information from both children and parents, the study enabled direct comparisons between survivors’ self-reported experiences and their parents’ perceptions. The results showed that psychological distress remains highly prevalent during survivorship and that symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression tend to be closely interconnected.

One notable finding was that parents’ assessments of their children’s emotional state were often more strongly linked to the parents’ own levels of distress than to the children’s self-reported symptoms. This suggests that unresolved parental trauma may influence how children’s well-being is interpreted during follow-up care.

The researchers said the findings carry important implications for clinical practice. Long-term pediatric oncology follow-up, they argue, should extend beyond physical health monitoring to include ongoing psychological assessment of both survivors and their parents. Giving greater weight to children’s own reports and providing tailored psychosocial support throughout survivorship could significantly improve long-term outcomes for families.

The study’s findings have clear practical implications for pediatric cancer care. Hospitals and clinics can implement long-term psychological screenings for both survivors and their parents, recognizing that distress, anxiety, and depression often persist well beyond treatment. Providing targeted psychosocial support — such as counseling, family therapy, and support groups — can help both children and caregivers manage ongoing emotional challenges. Moreover, the research also indicates that clinicians should prioritize children’s self-reports of their well-being, as parents’ perceptions may not always accurately reflect their child’s experience.

The scientists are now conducting a follow-up study examining whether trauma-focused psychotherapy for parents of childhood cancer survivors can reduce long-term symptoms and improve overall family well-being.

By Pesach Benson • January 14, 2026

Jerusalem, 14 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Medical errors remain one of the leading causes of death worldwide, rivaling heart disease and cancer, yet healthcare systems continue to struggle to reduce preventable harm. A new perspective article by Prof. Mayer Brezis of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem argues that the persistence of medical errors reflects not a lack of medical knowledge, but a systemic failure to confront mistakes openly and learn from them.

Published in the peer-reviewed Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, the article examines why decades of patient safety initiatives have produced only limited results. Prof. Brezis contends that fear of legal consequences, institutional defensiveness and poor communication routinely push healthcare organizations to deny, minimize or conceal errors. This “deny and defend” culture, he argues, prevents meaningful learning and allows the same failures to recur, sometimes with fatal outcomes.

According to the article, communication breakdowns are among the most common causes of medical errors. In many clinical environments, doctors, nurses and technicians hesitate to raise concerns when something appears wrong, fearing blame, retaliation or professional damage. Research from healthcare and other high-risk industries, such as aviation, shows that systems lacking psychological safety are significantly more prone to catastrophic failures.

Brezis illustrates the human cost of this culture through a personal family tragedy. His grandson died after a complex congenital heart defect was missed during a routine pregnancy ultrasound. Only after the child’s death was universal pulse oximetry screening implemented nationally, a reform that has since helped identify similar conditions early and is believed to save dozens of infants each year.

“Mistakes become deadly when systems refuse to learn from them,” Brezis writes, stressing that acknowledging failure is not about assigning blame, but about preventing the next tragedy. Taking responsibility, he argues, is the only way to give meaning to harm that has already occurred.

The article calls for a fundamental shift in how healthcare systems respond when things go wrong. Rather than secrecy and legal defensiveness, Prof. Brezis urges a culture of transparency, humility and open discussion, where errors are disclosed, examined and addressed constructively. Leadership, he emphasizes, plays a decisive role in creating psychological safety and protecting staff who speak up.

Mandatory error disclosure and structured review are central to reducing preventable harm, but only if they are paired with strong psychological safety policies and targeted communication training.

Healthcare organizations must require clinicians to report errors and near-misses promptly, with clear processes for reviewing what went wrong and why, focusing on system failures rather than individual blame. At the same time, staff need explicit protections from retaliation, so that raising concerns is seen as a professional responsibility rather than a personal risk. Communication training should reinforce this culture by improving handoffs, escalation protocols and team-based decision-making, while empowering nurses, residents and other frontline staff to challenge assumptions and speak up when something does not seem right.

Equally critical is leadership accountability for how failures are handled and whether they lead to meaningful change. Senior executives and department heads should be assessed not only on clinical outcomes, but on transparency, follow-through and measurable safety improvements after adverse events. Serious incidents must trigger system-level fixes — such as new screening tools, standardized checklists or revised procedures — instead of being closed quietly through internal reviews or legal settlements.

Legal frameworks also play a role: separating learning and safety investigations from liability processes can reduce defensive behavior and encourage honest analysis. Without leadership commitment and supportive legal structures, disclosure risks becoming a formality rather than a driver of safer care.

Without openness and accountability, Brezis concludes, medical errors will continue to claim lives despite advances in treatment. Learning from failure, he argues, is not optional but essential to saving patients and restoring trust in healthcare.

By Pesach Benson and Omer Novoselsky • January 12, 2026

Jerusalem, 12 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Some women’s breast cells may show signs of future cancer years before any tumor appears, potentially helping doctors detect breast cancer much earlier — or perhaps even prevent it from developing, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced.

On average, one in twenty women globally will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the World Health Organization.

A team of Israeli and U.S. scientists opened a previously hidden window into how breast cancer begins in women carrying BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. The research shows that even before tumors appear, breast cells in BRCA mutation carriers already exhibit a distinct pattern of DNA “damage spots” that closely resemble the DNA break patterns seen in cancer cells.

The study was led by PhD student Sara Oster Flayshman under the guidance of Professor Rami Aqeilan and Dr. Yotam Drier at Hebrew University’s Faculty of Medicine, in collaboration with Dr. Victoria Seewaldt and Dr. Mark LaBarge from the City of Hope research center in California. Using next-generation sequencing, the team mapped DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) across the genomes of non-malignant mammary epithelial cells from women carrying high-risk genetic mutations.

The team found that the pattern of DNA damage in these cells was very different from what they saw in healthy cells and, surprisingly, looked much like the patterns found in breast cancer cells. The most affected DNA regions were those linked to cancer, especially the ones that are normally very active in the cell, making them more likely to lead to cancer if damaged.

The study was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell Death & Disease.

Professor Aqeilan told The Press Service of Israel that the study’s significance lies in the early, pre-cancerous cellular instability.

“Our main finding is that non-malignant mammary epithelial cells from high-risk women already show a distinct, non-random ‘breakome’ compared with average-risk controls and, importantly, this breakome partly resembles the pattern seen in breast cancer cells,” he said. A breakome refers to the complete pattern or map of DNA breaks across a cell’s genome.

“This suggests that genome instability–related processes are underway very early, before any tumor is present, and that these early weaknesses can reshape where DNA breaks accumulate,” said Aqeilan.

The researchers emphasized that the DNA break patterns are detectable in young, cancer-free donors, including women under 35. “That means the shift is detectable well before clinical cancer, and plausibly years, potentially decades, before diagnosis for carriers who develop disease later,” Aqeilan said. While the study does not provide a precise lead time to cancer onset, it challenges the traditional view that loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) events are the first step in malignancy.

The study opens potential avenues for early detection.

“This work provides critical insight into the earliest molecular changes that take place in breast cells of high-risk women,” Aqeilan told TPS-IL. “Understanding these initial events allows us to envision new strategies for identifying cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages.”

Drier noted that these patterns “could one day help us develop more precise biomarkers, so that high-risk women are not only monitored more effectively, but also offered interventions based on the actual biology of their cells.”

While the current study focuses on breast tissue, Aqeilan said the next steps will explore whether similar patterns emerge in other cancer-prone tissues.

“Testing ovarian and fallopian tissue is explicitly a logical next step,” he told TPS-IL.

In addition, his team plans to study larger groups of women over time to see whether early DNA damage patterns can predict who will eventually develop cancer, and to explore minimally invasive tests that could detect these patterns before tumors form.

Understanding these early DNA breaks may also shed light on why some high-risk women develop cancer while others do not. “It could guide new prevention strategies that target these vulnerable regions of the genome before cancer starts,” Aqeilan said.

The IDF presented the recommendations of the Almoz Committee for examining the response to discharged soldiers and reservists not on active duty, who took their own lives due to their service. Head of the Manpower Directorate, Brigadier General Wadmani: “In light of the implications and exceptional circumstances, the committee recommended that regarding the ‘Swords of Iron’ war, a unique and tailored response should be implemented.” According to army data, in 2025, 22 cases of suicide were recorded, including 12 conscripts, one officer, and 9 reservists. Committee Chairman, MK Stern: “The fight against suicide is not a personal fight, it is a fight for all of us as a Society.”
The IDF was asked to present the committee’s conclusions for examining the response provided to discharged soldiers and reservists not on active duty, who took their own lives due to their service (Almoz Committee). Committee Chairman, MK Elazar Stern: “I am full of appreciation for the military personnel involved in saving lives, but to reach everyone who needs help, we must continue to invest more Budgets, professionals, and appropriate accessibility for those in need. The fight against suicide is not a personal fight, it is a fight for all of us as a society. We will not abandon anyone to cope alone, it is our duty to help, listen to their distress, and be there for them.”
Head of the Manpower Directorate, Brigadier General Amir Wadmani, presented the committee’s recommendations: “The committee recommended maintaining the unique status of an IDF fallen soldier and preserving the existing distinction between a civilian and a soldier. At the same time, in light of the implications of ‘Swords of Iron’ and the exceptional circumstances, it recommended that regarding the ‘Swords of Iron’ war, a unique and tailored response should be implemented.
The response involves two stages – if someone takes their own life after military service and there are circumstances related to their military service, the matter is brought before the Head of the Manpower Directorate. The Head of the Manpower Directorate examines whether the suicide event meets the criteria, including the duration of service, the nature of the role, exposure to exceptional events during service, the proximity in time between service and death, and whether there were indications of mental distress during military service. The information is immediately clarified between the IDF and the police, and if the Head of the Manpower Directorate decides there are unique circumstances, with the family’s consent, military insignia are allowed during a civilian funeral ceremony.
In the second stage, the IDF accompanies the family in the process with the Ministry of Defense to receive rights according to the law. If the Ministry of Defense accepts the causal link, commemoration on the Wall of Remembrance at Mount Herzl, on the Yizkor website, placing a candle and flag on memorial day, and a military cantor at the memorial service are added.”
According to army data, in 2025, 22 cases of suicide were recorded, including 12 conscripts, one officer, and 9 reservists. For comparison, in 2024, 21 cases were recorded. In terms of conscripts, there was an increase from 7 to 12, while among reservists, there was a decrease from 12 to 9.
In the year before the war, i.e., 2022, there were 14 cases among conscripts and zero cases among reservists. The IDF explains that the increase among reservists in 2024 and 2025 is due to the very extensive activation of reservists.
50% of the cases in 2025 were of combat soldiers, 75% of the cases were not treated by a mental health officer (קב”ן), and 85% of the cases involved suicide by weapon.
MK Ofer Cassif presented data from a report by the Knesset Research and Information Center, written at his request, which shows that between 2017 and 2022, the proportion of combat soldiers among all IDF soldiers who committed suicide ranged between 42% and 45%. In 2023, this proportion decreased to 17%, and in 2024, it increased significantly to 78%. In 2024-2025 (until the end of July), 17% of soldiers who committed suicide had met with a mental health officer in the two months prior to their suicide.
Regarding suicide attempts, between January 2024 and July 2025, 279 soldiers attempted suicide – meaning, for every soldier who committed suicide in the IDF, another seven suicide attempts were documented. In the clinical report of the Medical Corps, 12% of these suicide attempts were defined as severe (i.e., actions whose execution could have led to the person’s death or significant injury), and 88% were defined as moderate (suicidal actions with low risk potential).
Head of Clinical Services, Lt. Col. Dr. Carmel Kahlah: “Regarding the treatment of career soldiers in their first year, there is the Liba unit that deals with career soldiers in their first year. We are engaged in awareness campaigns to reduce stigma regarding seeking help, and we are also seeing an increase in inquiries. It is important for me to clarify that the primary goal of mental health officers is to treat.”

The Committee for the Rights of the Child, chaired by MK Kتي Shtrit, conducted a tour today at Safra Children’s Hospital at the Sheba Medical Center. The committee visited the Pediatric Psychiatry Department and the Pediatric Eating Disorders Department. MKs Pnina Tamano-Shata and Adi Azoulay also participated in the tour.
committee chair, MK Kتي Shtrit: “We were exposed to one of the flagship departments in the healthcare system for treating eating disorders, but even this department cannot meet the national need. This model must be replicated everywhere.
I was exposed to the professional, dedicated, and sensitive work of the medical and therapeutic staff. This is high-quality personnel who work with exceptional dedication and under appropriate conditions, out of a deep commitment to the well-being and rights of children and adolescents struggling with eating disorders.
Alongside this, a serious problem arose that cannot be ignored – a significant national shortage of inpatient beds. This distress impairs the ability to provide timely care to children and adolescents who need life-saving treatment, and puts families in an unbearable situation of waiting and uncertainty.
As Chair of the Committee for the Rights of the Child, I will do everything to ensure the increase in the number of beds and resources in the eating disorder departments, to ensure that every child across the country receives accessible, appropriate, and timely treatment. This is an urgent need, and it is a national responsibility.”
Prof. Doron Gothelf, Director of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Safra Children’s Hospital at Sheba: “The past few years have presented children and youth in Israel with unprecedented psychological and emotional challenges. The unique model we have developed in the Psychiatry Department at Safra Children’s Hospital was built to provide a precise response to these distresses.
We hope it will be adopted as a national model and expanded to additional hospitals and medical centers across the country, alongside a significant strengthening of community care.
Our responsibility is clear: to build an accessible and high-quality continuum of care, which will allow every child to receive professional psychological care, in a timely manner, and wherever they need it.”

committee chair Limor Son Har Melech: We must ensure that those who need these medications for medical purposes can obtain them with dignity and accessibility, while on the other hand – erecting a barrier that will make it difficult for those attempting to acquire them for trade or misuse.
The Health Committee today (Monday) approved the cancellation of the Dangerous Drugs Regulations (Dispensing and Transfer of Drugs), 1983. The cancellation is in light of an amendment approved by the committee about a year ago, which established a new version of regulations governing the dispensing of drugs for the purpose of drug rehabilitation. The committee chair, Limor Son Har Melech (Otzma Yehudit), emphasized that “we all understand that for patients who need them, drug substitutes are a necessity and an integral part of the treatment path. However, we cannot ignore the changing reality: in recent years, with accelerated technological development, the forgery of prescriptions and illegal purchase and trade has become easier and more accessible than ever before. Our goal is to close this loophole as much as possible. We want to create a precise balance: to ensure that those who need these medications for medical purposes can obtain them with dignity and accessibility, but on the other hand – to erect a barrier that will make it difficult for those attempting to acquire them for trade or misuse.”
Eliyahu Marom, Deputy Director of the Pharmacy Division at the Ministry of Health, explained that the regulations were drafted about 43 years ago and are no longer adapted to the drugs currently in use for drug rehabilitation. The Pharmacists Regulations stipulate the process for handling dangerous drugs for the purpose of rehabilitation from drugs used as drug substitutes that were registered at that time, and they were primarily intended for the treatment of severe street drug users. However, today there is a wider variety of drug preparations registered in Israel for rehabilitation purposes, not just the drugs defined in the regulations’ appendix, and rehabilitation processes have also been expanded for the purpose of overcoming addiction to opioid drugs, which patients began using as part of medical treatment and became addicted to over the years.
The Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, in its new version, regulates the handling of dangerous drugs, and based on it, the Dangerous Drugs Regulations, 1979, were enacted, which regulate the conduct with dangerous drugs. The Dangerous Drugs Regulations were amended about a year ago and updated according to the needs that arose over the years with the rise in the use of dangerous drugs. Even today, they are undergoing legislative amendment as part of the Ministry of Health‘s response to the opioid epidemic in Israel. As part of this amendment, the Dangerous Drugs Regulations will include an updated list of drug substitutes used to treat drug users within the framework of addiction rehabilitation.
 
For background material and the Ministry of Health‘s appeal:
https://main.knesset.gov.il/Activity/committees/health/Pages/CommitteeMaterial.aspx?ItemID=2238253
 

By Pesach Benson • January 11, 2026

Jerusalem, 11 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) — A new study finds that people with social anxiety may feel less stressed and perform better in social situations when they believe first impressions are hard to change, Israel’s Bar-Ilan University announced. The finding challenges a long-standing assumption in psychology that thinking people can always improve how others see them is healthier in every case.

Social anxiety is a widespread condition marked by intense discomfort in social settings and persistent worry about being judged. For years, research has suggested that believing impressions can change encourages self-improvement. But researchers at Bar-Ilan University found that for people with high social anxiety, this belief can increase pressure and mental strain, making social interactions more difficult rather than empowering.

“For most people, believing that others’ opinions can change motivates growth,” said Prof. Liad Uziel of Bar-Ilan University’s Department of Psychology, who led the research. “But for individuals with high social anxiety, that constant possibility for change can feel overwhelming. Viewing others’ impressions as relatively stable may make the social world seem more predictable and less mentally draining.”

Published in the peer-reviewed Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, the research unfolded in several stages, including a preliminary survey and three follow-up experiments. Across all phases, the researchers found a consistent pattern: participants with higher levels of social anxiety reported feeling less burdened and performed better when they adopted a fixed mindset about impression formation.

In one experiment, participants prepared a self-introduction ahead of an anticipated meeting. Those with high social anxiety made a poorer impression when they believed impressions were malleable, but this effect disappeared when they believed impressions were fixed. A second experiment involving a more stressful, video-recorded task produced similar results, again showing improved performance under a fixed mindset.

The findings were reinforced in a three-day field study in which participants applied these beliefs during everyday social interactions. Those guided to think impressions were stable described their experiences as less stressful and more satisfying than those encouraged to believe impressions could change.

The study suggests that predictability, rather than flexibility, can be calming for socially anxious individuals by reducing the pressure of constant self-evaluation. “For those who often worry about how they are perceived, believing that others’ impressions are stable can be both calming and empowering,” Uziel said.

The findings have direct implications for evaluative settings such as job interviews, academic assessments, and public speaking. For individuals with social anxiety, believing that impressions are formed early and unlikely to change based on minor mistakes can reduce self-monitoring and free cognitive resources, leading to clearer focus and stronger performance under pressure.

The research may also inform workplace and educational training, where constant emphasis on impression management and adaptability could unintentionally heighten anxiety. Tailoring training messages to emphasize stability and predictability for socially anxious individuals may reduce stress while maintaining performance expectations.

Researchers said the results point to potential low-cost interventions that better match mindset advice to individual psychological needs. The team plans to examine whether these effects extend to clinically diagnosed populations and how such beliefs influence other forms of social behavior.