The findings of a study conducted by the Israel Ministry of Education shows an alarming increase in violence in the nation�s public schools. An alarming 12% of fourth-to-sixth graders have reported being victims of strong violence and/or extortion. Among students of seventh-to-ninth grades, the figure drops to 8% and 6% among students in tenth and eleventh grades. The term �strong attacks� used in the report includes physical assaults, threats and extortion.

The report is comprehensive as 26,136 students in elementary, junior high and high schools responded to questions.

�Moderate violence� attacks

� 25% of fourth, fifth and sixth graders report being victimized

� 18% of seventh, eighth and ninth graders report being victimized

� 11% of tenth and eleventh graders were victimized

Some students carry a knife to school

� 4% of tenth & eleventh graders admitted to carrying a knife to school

� 3% of seventh-to-ninth graders carry a knife to school

� 1% of fourth-to-sixth graders carry a knife to school

�Sexual attacks� which are described as causing both physical & verbal harm are up

� 10% of fourth-sixth graders were victimized

� 17% of seventh-to-ninth graders were victimized

� 16% of tenth & eleventh graders were victimized

Alcohol consumption is another problem

� 47% of tenth & eleventh graders drink high alcohol drinks like vodka

� 41% drink lower alcohol drinks like beer

� 25% have been drunk

� 14% of seventh-ninth graders drink high alcohol beverages

� 20% of this same group drink beer (lower alcohol drinks)

� 6% of fourth-sixth graders drink vodka

� 10% drink beer

Drug users

� 7% of tenth & eleventh graders used marijuana

� 3% used harder drugs including ecstasy

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)