Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., March 23, 2009 Adar 27, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:12 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Netanyahu agrees to raise child allowances By Zvi Zrahiya Child allowances for the second to fourth children in a family will rise in a number of stages. As part of the coalition negotiations, Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed with the ultra-Orthodox parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, to an increase of NIS 1.5 billion over a three-year period. In the first stage, to start July, monthly allowances will rise by NIS 105, NIS 66 and NIS 40 for the fourth child, third and second child in a family, respectively. This stage will cost an additional NIS 500 million. Advertisement In 2011 these allowance will be increased again, costing another NIS 1 billion. The exact timing is still under negotiation. Other budgetary agreements with the ultra-Orthodox parties include a few hundred million shekels more for the parties' educational institutions as well as increased stipends for yeshiva students. The agreement to raise the child allowances is a clear victory for Shas chairman Eli Yishai and UTJ chairman Yaakov Litzman, both of whom declared they would not join the coalition if child allowances were not increased. They were particularly interested in raising the allowances for the third and fourth children, so as to increase the amounts given to large families. The increase for the second child was more a victory for the head of Yisrael Beiteinu, Avigdor Lieberman, who sought more money for immigrant families, which tend to have fewer children. In addition, the ultra-Orthodox are still negotiating with Netanyahu over NIS 180 million more for their institutions. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Concessions for Shalit Hamas: Israel deceived us during prisoner swap talks, but deal must be set. Rules of engagement Troops told to shoot even at Gaza rescuers, says IDF note found in rubble.

Read & React Gideon Levy / IDF ceased long ago being 'most moral army in the world' Responses: 123 U.S. furious over Israel's demolition of East Jerusalem homes Responses: 108 Testimonies on IDF misconduct in Gaza keep rolling in Responses: 77 Olmert: Haifa bomb attack prevented by 'miracle' Responses: 80 More Headlines 23:10 Olmert: Netanyahu could lead Israel into unprecedented isolation 22:12 Barak freezes move to raze settlement homes built on Palestinian land 22:45 Hamas leaders jailed in Israel meet to discuss Shalit talks 23:48 Labor 'rebels' lambaste Barak efforts to join coalition 13:46 Meshal welcomes Obama's 'new language' on Mideast 19:45 IDF officer: Testimonies of lax moral standards in Gaza are 'exaggerated' 10:51 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 15:27 Orangutan have a Jewish wedding at a Moscow circus 23:09 National Union MK Ben-Ari to march with rightists through Umm al-Fahm 22:43 After Haifa bomb bid, Olmert says Hamas looking to attack from West Bank 08:45 IDF soldiers ordered to shoot at Gaza rescuers, note says 20:43 Iran responds to Obama offer, says not shutting door to thaw 17:17 Egypt envoy to attend Jerusalem ceremony, despite boycott threats Previous Editions Select Day 22 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 15 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar 09 mar

Special Offers Advertisement Spring Specials-Dan Hotels Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$ Dead Sea Skin Care Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off! Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 Passover Vacations The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results

Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved