1,634 civilians killed in terror attacks since '48

By RUTH EGLASH
Since the founding of the State of Israel 60 years ago, 1,634 civilians have been killed in acts of terror and more than 14,000 have been wounded, according to statistics released Monday by the National Insurance Institute ahead of the country's Remembrance Day services starting Tuesday night and its 60th Independence Day celebrations. The institute, which is responsible for providing benefits and support services for civilians wounded in such attacks, also reported that eight citizens were killed in 2007 and 133 were wounded in some 87 separate attacks, mostly in Sderot. Since the start of 2008, 16 citizens were killed and 65 wounded, including a terrorist attack last month on two security guards at a factory close to the security barrier. More than NIS 350 million was paid out by the NII in 2007 to thousands of wounded people and the families of those killed, according to the report. Among the benefits paid out by the NII are financial support for transport, rental assistance, rehabilitation and health programs, as well as enrichment programs for the bereaved families. "The NII believes that the treatment of terror victims and their families is an important duty for the state," commented NII Director-General Esther Dominissini. This week the NII added to its Web site - www.laad.btl.gov.il - a special page paying tribute to the 3,933 people killed in terror attacks since the first aliya in the late 1800s.