Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., March 04, 2008 Adar1 27, 5768 | | Israel Time: 11:52 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 00:00 04/03/2008 Knesset okays law increasing financial aid to Holocaust survivors By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: stipends, survivors  The Knesset plenum on Monday approved in the second and third reading a law stipulating an increase in the stipends granted to Holocaust survivors and the elderly, in accordance with a deal struck with the survivors' representatives over the summer. The newly approved law will grant financial assistance to 8,000 Holocaust survivors that have thus far been excluded from any reparations deal with Germany, and therefore did not receive any financial compensation. The new law will go into effect in April, and will cost approximately NIS one billion per year. Advertisement Minister of Welfare and Social Services Isaac Herzog (Labor) described the approval of the law a "historical achievement." According to Herzog, up until today, there had been "terrible discrimination between survivors who may have laid down next to each other in the same cabin at Auschwitz," but one of them received reparations and the other didn't. The new law is "another step toward erasing this disgrace from the face of Israeli society. It may be late, but better late," he said. The new law encompasses two groups of elderly recipients. 8,000 Holocaust survivors, who until now haven't received any assistance because they somehow fell between the cracks, will now receive NIS 1,000 every month. They will also receive a yearly grant of NIS 4,000, convalescence pay, discounts on property tax and other benefits. The second group includes all the elderly citizens on Israel currently receiving guaranteed minimal income, Holocaust survivors as well as those who aren't survivors. The group encompasses some 143,000 people. This group will receive an increase of tens to hundreds of shekels to their existing monthly stipends. Seniors below the age of 80 will receive a monthly increase of NIS 24-31. Those over 80 years old will receive an increase of NIS 181-267. Related articles: PM granted Holocaust survivors' stipend to CIS immigrants Israel asks Germany to fund Holocaust survivors' stipends Yisrael Beiteinu: Gov't musn't discriminate between survivors Thousands march in Jerusalem to protest meager survivors' stipend Bookmark to del.icio.us   In the line of fire Rights Group: Over 50% of Gaza casualties weren't militants. Uncle Sam blames you U.S. blames Hamas for sparking violence in south Israel, Gaza.   1.   Which Holocaust? 01:39  |  palestinian refugee 04/03/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Immoral solutions for Gaza - a guide Responses: 7 Israel: Latest sanctions against Iran not enough Responses: 38 Obama says United States should not meet with Hamas Responses: 56 Nehemia Shtrasler: There is no way out but to talk to Hamas Responses: 18 Researcher: Moses was tripping at Mount Sinai Responses: 69 Rosner's Domain What to Read: What was Samantha Power thinking? Rosner: Obama, Clinton aides court hawkish Jews in Ohio Hillary Clinton comes out swinging as Ohio primary nears Obama`s top adviser says doesn't believe in imposing a peace settlement Politics with an elliptical soccer ball More Headlines 03:02 Israel: Latest sanctions against Iran not enough 11:10 IAF strike kills two Gaza militants; Qassam rocket damages Sderot home 04:15 Olmert: All military options for Gaza are on the table 09:41 Rice arrives in Egypt, urges Israel, PA to resume talks 11:48 UN's Ban: Israel says Hezbollah has 30,000 rockets in S. Lebanon 09:14 Young Russian Jews say 'Da' to Birthright, but 'Nyet' to aliyah 09:16 Researcher: Moses was tripping at Mount Sinai 09:36 Fatah man loses children in IDF raid, but Hamas won't let him bury them 00:00 Haaretz journalist Ehud Asheri dies of cancer at 57 04:56 Barak seeks legal okay to move Gazan civilians from homes 01:52 Berlin to start sealing cracks in Holocaust memorial slabs Previous Editions Select Day 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb

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