From the Liveblog of
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Cabinet okays NIS 1 billion to expand help for people affected by October 7
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
The cabinet votes to approve NIS 1 billion ($269 million) in additional grants and therapeutic assistance for victims of October 7 and their families.
Under the plan, which was recommended by a committee established by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and chaired by Prof. Aviad HaCohen, additional funds will go to bereaved families, the families of the hostages, and those who were in the southern town of Ofakim and communities along the Gaza border on October 7.
People who attended the Nova rave on October 7 and people who were present in towns that suffered “significant damage” on October 7 but are not entitled to disability payments will be eligible for a one-time grant of between NIS 7,180 ($1,935) and 28,720 ($7,743) for an adult and NIS 1,436 ($387) and 5,744 ($1,548) for a child. They will also be eligible for a rehabilitation and treatment valued at between NIS 7,300 ($1,968) and 30,000 ($8,089) per person.
In addition, family members of those killed or kidnapped on October 7 over the age of 14 will be eligible for NIS 14,360 ($3,871) as well as treatment and rehabilitation services intended for the siblings of hostages. Hostages’ children over the age of 30 will be eligible for NIS 15,000 ($4,044) per person.
Announcing the program’s approval, Smotrich states that “we will work to restore the rope of revival and restore security to all citizens of Israel.”
Ofakim resident Otzma Yehudit MK Almog Cohen thanks Smotrich for including the city — which had not been part of the government’s broader rehabilitation plan for affected communities — in the assistance package. He says his current place of residence “is a city of heroes.”
The financial grants constitute recognition for the “extraordinary acts of heroism” shown by locals who fought against Hamas last October, he says.
The cabinet’s approval of the plan comes as the coalition is working to pass legislation to increase the 2024 state budget by almost NIS 3.4 billion ($924 million) in order to help fund displaced civilians and reserve soldier duty until the end of the year.
