Last update - 00:00 08/12/2006
Delays in treasury could keep funds from Holocaust survivors
By Amiram Barkat, Haaretz Correspondent
The Finance Ministry approved transferring NIS 21.6 million to the Holocaust Survivors Welfare Fund two weeks ago, after promising the money some six months ago.
The fund is now urging survivors to apply for grants as soon as possible, as any money which is not distributed by December 15 will be lost.
Fund directors believe only a quarter of the sum will be allocated by mid-December, leaving roughly NIS 15 million in the treasury.
The sum transferred by the treasury is earmarked for the distribution of one-time grants of up to NIS 3,000 for the purchase of medicine, eye-glasses, hearing aids and false teeth.
The government undertook the allocation of NIS 20 million in June, in exchange for Yisrael Beitenu's promise not to object to the state budget. The request for the money was submitted to the Treasury's supports committee for approval, as the fund is not a government body. After examining the fund the committee approved the allocation on November 13. However, 10 days elapsed until the fund received the committee's announcement.
"This situation, in which we have to fight each year and all year for budgets, causes intolerable suffering to the survivors," said Dov Arbel, the fund's director. He asked the finance minister for the fund's allocations to be paid a few years in advance.
The Treasury commented that the unused balance would be rolled over into the 2007 budget. Holocaust survivors age 70 and over who have not received allocations from the fund in the past three years are encouraged to call 03-6090866