A 17-year-old representing 1.5 million students: "Politicians understand our power"

"This is an election year, a year with opportunities to push youth issues to the top of the politicians' priority list," says Rotem Getraida, who was elected a month ago as the new chairman of the National Student and Youth Council. Getraida, 17, entering 12th grade at the Ramon school in Petah Tikva, succeeded Dror Cohen.

"I have the opportunity to build a network with politicians so they prioritize youth," he explains. "That's why I ran. We are constantly active in the Knesset, and we feel taken seriously. In the October elections, a large portion of my grade will be eligible to vote. We represent about three mandates, and politicians understand this."

Regarding trust in politicians, Getraida says: "We know that a politician's signature doesn't guarantee action. But we are active in the media and will hold them accountable after the election, especially given the challenges youth have faced on the home front. We have met with representatives from 13 parties, including leaders and deputies, to ensure the word 'youth' is explicitly included in their platforms."

A teacher is a mentor

Getraida identifies violence as the most pressing issue. "Youth have endured years of instability, which has consequences," he explains. "We condemn all violence, but when teenagers lack emotional support, it can lead to extreme behavior. We advocate for better emotional frameworks. We launched a joint project with the Ministry of Education's Psychological Counseling Service (SHEFI) to train youth in providing first emotional aid. Schools currently lack enough psychologists and therapists."

On the issue of school boycotts, he notes: "Teachers need better tools to handle these complex situations. We are partners in the National Forum for Eradicating Boycotts and Bullying, coordinated by the President. Our goal is to anchor anti-boycott measures in legislation, as this has become a scourge in recent years."

Regarding teacher status, he adds: "I want my teachers to have the best conditions, as that directly impacts my education. The profession is undervalued, and we need a public discourse to improve the teacher's image. A teacher is a mentor to us."

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Anxiety and commitment

The National Student and Youth Council represents over 1.5 million Israeli teenagers (7th to 12th grade). The past three years have been challenging.

"Youth were anxious yet committed," Getraida says. "We volunteered to help farmers and reservists' families. The council partnered in the 'Tzav 8 for Youth' project, where teenagers helped reservists' families with childcare. We also supported the 'To the North with Love' project, providing budgets for youth movements to visit Kiryat Shmona."

Reflecting on academics, he notes: "Long periods of Zoom learning lacked continuity. The concessions we received were a temporary fix, but they weren't enough for proper exam preparation."

On the issue of Haredi enlistment, Getraida remains neutral: "The Council represents all youth in the country. We have chosen to stay away from this political issue, focusing instead on promoting Zionism and daily contributions to the country."