Avihai Chiim

Avihai Chiim is the health and welfare correspondent for Walla.


Graduates celebrate at a commencement ceremony at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, which is fielding a growing number of inquiries from Americans interested in enrolling for college at the university in Beersheva, Israel.

Ben-Gurion University tops list of on-time graduates in Israel, new ranking reveals

An illustration of a mother feeding a baby a bottle of formula.

Baby food aid requests rose 25% in 2025, infant formula prices climb, Social Bank reports

 Yesh Atid MK Meirav Cohen.

October 7 survivor testifies she was raped in 2011, says courts 'hand out gag orders like candy'


Knesset advances bill to recognize Israeli Sign Language as first language of deaf people

The bill would formally recognize Israeli Sign Language while maintaining the status of other sign languages used in Israel. It would also require the state to preserve, develop, and promote ISL.

Deaf actors using sign language communicate backstage prior to their performance "Luna Park" at the "Nalaga’at Theater" in the Tel Aviv-Jaffo port, March 18, 2012.

Assault survivors describe delays, judgment, and lack of care in Knesset testimony

During the session, Ben-Gvir clashed with opposition members and declared his attendance was “to give you a chance,” before promptly exiting.

 Sexual assault (Illustrative)

Israeli health officials call for sanctions on anti-vaxxers as flu morbidity rate rises

Only 17% of Israelis have been vaccinated; health fund CEOs are divided over sanctions versus accessibility.

A patient at a Maccabi Health Center in Jerusalem receives a vaccination against the 'H1N1' swine flu. Israeli health authorities has started vaccinating the population against swine flu. December 20, 2009.

Israel must leave World Health Organization, Knesset's new health committee chair says

MK Limor Son Har-Melech’s push to withdraw Israel from the WHO drew backlash from health leaders, who warned of risks to public health and international ties.

  The World Health Organization (WHO) logo is seen near its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, February 2, 2023.

Israel urges immediate vaccination as flu morbidity rises, orders 485,000 more vaccine doses

While the vaccine does not entirely prevent infection, it significantly reduces the risk of serious illness and related complications.

Flu shot

Four-year-old dies from flu in Israel's North in fifth fatal case this year

The Health Ministry emphasized that morbidity from the flu is on the rise and is calling on the public to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

 A member of the medical staff receives a flu vaccine at the department where patients suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Havelhoehe community hospital in Berlin, Germany, October 30, 2020.

Nearly two year after disappearance: Police arrest suspect linked to missing girl Haymanut Kasau

Footage obtained by Walla shows a man arriving at the home of a young girl in Beersheba, later reportedly identified as a close friend of the missing Kasau.

Nine-year-old Haymanot Kasau.

Former IDF top lawyer Tomer-Yerushalmi released from Ichilov Hospital after nearly a month

She is expected to be summoned for questioning in the near future over the Sde Teiman leaked video affair. 

Former IDF Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi is released to house arrest outside the Neve Tirtza Women’s Prison in Ramla, November 7, 2025.

Nearly three million Israelis face food insecurity, including one million children, report finds

A report from the National Insurance Institute (NII) shows a slight improvement in access to food across Israel, but it also shows that geographical and economic food inequality persist.

'THERE IS such a big supply of food and so many hungry people; the problem is in the distribution and in the method of getting it out there.’

Israeli gov't approves 2026 health cm'tee to approve medications, tech with NIS 650 budget

The delay in appointing the committee persisted in recent months due to the lack of a sitting health minister.

Israel's Health Ministry.