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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert meeting representatives of Holocaust survivors' groups on Monday. (GPO) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 14:39 15/10/2007 Olmert and Holocaust survivors' groups agree on pensions hike By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent, and The Associated Press Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday met with representatives of Holocaust survivors' groups and agreed to raise government allowances and services to elderly people suffering from economic distress, some 80,000of whom are survivors. The announcement followed criticism of the government for not doing enough to help the 240,000 Israelis who survived the Holocaust. Today, many of them are elderly and needy. The increase stands at NIS 1.5 billion, NIS 500 million of which will be granted to "second circle" survivors - people who fled from areas under Nazi occupation but were not incarcerated in ghettoes and concentration camps. Advertisement Olmert also complied with the survivors' demand to transfer the sum over two years, and not three years as previously agreed. The additional funds will be allocated according to age and financial conditions. Those 80 years old and above who do not own their home - predominantly Holocaust survivors - will be entitled to the highest increase. Most of the "second circle" survivors are former Soviet citizens who have come to Israel over the last two decades. Many of them are very poor. The new benefits follow a package announced in August for the first circle of survivors - those who survived the war under direct Nazi rule. Since August, needy survivors from the first circle were guaranteed allowances of $284 (200) a month, with the exact sum also linked to age and income. Olmert said the new aid was an important moral step that would correct a grave oversight on Israel's part. "The state never gave those who survived the Holocaust the attention and resources it put into memorializing those who died in the Holocaust," Olmert said The chairman of the Center of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors, Noah Flug, said last week: "We have gained about NIS 1.5 billion, and even though we believe Holocaust survivors deserve more, we thank the government for taking the matter so seriously." Related articles: Yisrael Beiteinu: Gov't musn't discriminate between survivors MKs to hold special meeting on stipend for Holocaust survivors More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us Dividing Jerusalem PM Olmert questions whether Arab neighborhoods should be defined as part of the capital. Who is a Jew? Israel's draft constitution states that 'every Jew is entitled to immigrate to Israel.'   1.   Olmert is not known for keeping his word 13:47  |  Yonatan 15/10/07   2.   and for Israelis who`ve worked all their lives for the state? 14:02  |  OAP 15/10/07   3.   holocaust suvivors 15:29  |  sara 15/10/07   4.   Thumbnail of Olmert sneering not relevant 12:56  |  Rowan Berkeley 16/10/07

Today Online Editorial: Hail Rice for paving the way for dividing the land Responses: 25 Daniel Ben Simon: Once-moderate Shas moves to extreme right Responses: 8 Report: Deal gives Israel papers with Arad's writing Responses: 8 Polish rightist party slammed for anti-Semitic campaign ad Responses: 23 Likud urges Shas, Lieberman to quit gov't over PM's J'lem hints Responses: 15 Haaretz.com TV: Despite lobby's power, U.S. Jews are losing their bond to Israel Responses: 93 Rosner's Domain * Rice "understand risks to announcing a meeting" (WTR) * Guest: How to stop Hamas from spoiling Annapolis? * McCain is the pro-peace process GOP candidate * Poll: Is Rice's effort brave, pathetic, realistic, dangerous? More Headlines 13:05 PM: Enemies hiking price in 'ugly trade' for our MIAs 12:56 Rice courts Cairo on summit; Egypt: Conference may be delayed 10:35 Two Palestinians, including one militant, killed in IDF Nablus raid 06:53 Likud urges Shas, Lieberman to quit gov't over PM's 'intention' 23:17 Polish right-wing party accused of running anti-Semitic campaign ad 12:08 Egypt finds two tunnels at Gaza border, arrests three Palestinians 07:01 Cartoon spat prompts Shas to quit Knesset religious lobby 06:43 Abductees' families cautiously optimistic over Hezbollah deal 03:56 Balad activist murdered on doorstep of his business in Lod 05:32 Justice Minister orders drafting of bill limiting length of criminal probes Previous Editions Select Day 15 oct 14 oct 12 oct 11 oct 10 oct 09 oct 08 oct 07 oct 05 oct 04 oct 03 oct 02 oct

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