PM orders transfer of 50m. NIS to survivors

Netanyahu emphasizes Israel's deep commitment to Holocaust survivors, says gov't will crack down on wave of attacks on elderly.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Netanyahu looking morose at cabinet meeting 370 (photo credit: GPO)
Netanyahu looking morose at cabinet meeting 370
(photo credit: GPO)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that he had ordered the transfer of 50 million shekels to Holocaust survivors.
Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said he had agreed on the amount with Finance Minister Yair Lapid.
He also addressed a wave of recent attacks on the elderly saying that the government would "apply its full weight" to prevent such crimes and to punish the perpetrators. "In recent days we have witnessed shocking incidents of attacks on elderly people including Holocaust survivors... we will not tolerate attacks on the elderly" he asserted.
He stressed that Israel has a deep commitment to the elderly and to Holocaust survivors in particular: "These people survived the horrors of the Holocaust... they built the state of Israel."
The prime minister added that he also wanted to add 15 million shekels to the pharmaceutical budget in order to better aid the elderly population.
Yesh Atid MK Ifat Kariv, chairwoman for the Holocaust survivors lobby, said that she gladly greets the allocation of funds for the benefit of survivors. "This is the right and proper decision at this time in order to allow the few living Holocaust survivors a life of dignity and welfare."
On Sunday afternoon, a march on behalf of rights for Holocaust survivors was slated to occur among other events on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The march, organized by the non-profit organization "Aviv Le'nitzolei Ha'shoah" (Spring for Holocaust Survivors) was to take place in honor of survivors. Participants, including elderly rights organization, "Ken Le'zaken" (Yes to the Elderly) will march in support of the nearly 192,000 Holocaust survivors' right to "live with dignity and welfare".
Participants were scheduled to assemble at  Habima Square in Tel Aviv. The march was set to proceed down Rothschild Boulevard toward Beit Ha'atzmaut at The Israel Museum.