During a discussion of the Knesset Education, Culture, and Sport Committee, conducted in Sderot Tuesday, committee members discussed the issue of poverty in Israel and what to do about it. Chairman of the committee, MK Zvulun Orlev, said that "there is a strong connection between poverty and academic achievement. Poor students cannot reach their full potential. I hope that the 2011 budget will indicate change in the priorities of the government, and that the education budget will grow substantially," Orlev said.

Hundreds of people were gathered in Sderot Tuesday for the start of the Sderot Forum, which meets annually to discuss social policy in Israel.