Encouraging decision for Holocaust survivors: approved an additional payment of NIS 2,500 per year to 116,000 survivors

An encouraging decision for Holocaust survivors, 76 and a half years after the end of World War II. The Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee approved an additional payment of NIS 2,500 per year to 116,000 Holocaust survivors and victims of antisemitic harassment as of January 2022, under the Arrangements Law . It should be noted that about 40 Holocaust survivors die every day in Israel and the budget for the supplement will decrease for this sad reason in the coming years.
The Labor and Welfare Committee, chaired by MK Efrat Reitan, approved section 33, Benefits for Holocaust Survivors, in Chapter X, from the Economic Efficiency Bill and Legislative Amendments to Achieve Budget Objectives for the 2021 and 2022 budget years. 65,000 Holocaust survivors who are not entitled to a monthly reward and about 51,000 victims of antisemitic and racist harassment during World War II, from NIS 3,991 to NIS 6,500. , Ali Bing, the amount of the supplement for everyone entitled - NIS 2,509.
Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman said at the hearing: "It was important for me to arrive today, the day that marks the 80th anniversary of the Babi Yar massacre, one of the most tragic tragedies we have ever experienced. We are offering a 60% increase in the grant. Brings a social, moral budget with a high level of commitment to those groups that expected help from the Israeli government. "
Minister for Social Equality Minister Meirav Cohen said that "among Holocaust survivors there is a group that is entitled to a monthly grant of NIS 6,000-11,000 a month and there is a group that receives only NIS 4,000 once a year and that is a great injustice. 80% of the second group today receive income support. Poor Holocaust survivors and that's where we aim our arrows. Along with this addition, we also increased the income guarantee by NIS 500 a month. NIS 13,000 a year. "
A representative of the Ministry of Finance explained: "In this event, NIS 300 million was allocated, from which the increase in the annual grant was derived. An initial calculation of the application shows that only the medical care benefits cost about NIS 380 million a year. "It is not possible to add to the decision at the moment. In the future, it is possible to examine the numbers and discuss increasing the benefits for the next budget."
Abram Torem, director of the Holocaust Survivors' Authority, welcomed the move and said "every day that these decisions are not made these people die. We in the PA stand up every day for this mission, to see how we allow them to live the rest of their lives in peace."