Last update - 00:00 05/08/2007
Disabled Israelis block entrance to city in Jerusalem protest
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent
Dozens of physically disabled Israelis held a protest in Jerusalem Sunday, to bring light to the treatment of the disabled in Israel.
The protest was held on Shazar st., the thoroughfare which includes the entrance to Jerusalem. Protestors reportedly laid their bodies down on the street to prevent the passage of cars, causing massive traffic jams in the city.
Police did not arrest any demonstrators, as the march was given state approval.
The demonstrators were also protesting the decision by the government to make the law that allocates benefits to polio victims part of the economic arrangements law. They fear that the law will be frozen and they will not receive their benefits.
The law, initiated by former MK Azmi Bishara in March, was to go into effect at the end of the year, and would give polio victims born in Israel a one time lump payment, followed by a monthly stipend.
In order to allay protestors' fears, the Finance Ministry recently announced that they only intend to carry out minor changes in the application of the polio law, and do not intend to freeze it.
The Finance Ministry stated that in lieu of a one time payment, polio victims will receive a monthly payment of between 500 and 1,000 shekels for ten years.
According to Finance Ministry estimates, there are currently 4,300 polio victims eligible for the benefits.