Article Twenty-four concerns the protection of children. The State of Israel has built an extensive framework of laws and social institutions to protect the welfare of children. Israeli law governs the responsibilities of parents and care-givers, provides for social services for youth, and gives authority to a welfare officer to intervene for the safety and welfare of a child. Over the last decade, Knesset legislation has resulted in a dramatic increase in the detention and treatement of cases of child abuse. Education is compulsory in Israel for children between five and fifteen.
Public education is free of charge until the age of eighteen.
In addition, the Ministry of Education operates a series of free special education programs for eligible youth between the ages of three and twenty-one. Israel is a party to the ILO Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment. In practice, the effective minimum age for employment in Israel is sixteen. Additionally, any citizen over the age of twenty-one is entitled to run for election to the Knesset. The fundamental right to vote and be elected applies to participation in local elections as well.