Government approves expedited stipends to self-employed amid public anger

Ministers approve stipends of up to NIS 7,500 ($2,170) for self-employed Israelis, wage workers and businesses owners who have been hurt economically by government measures to contain the coronavirus.

The payments are part of a financial aid package unveiled last week by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Israel Katz, amid complaints from many Israelis that they haven’t received assistance promised by the government.

A joint statement from Netanyahu and Katz pledges the money will enter the bank accounts of those eligible to receive it in the coming days. It also says Katz will distribute a memorandum of a bill authorizing the rest of the aid package, which includes bimonthly payments to businesses and an expansion of the eligibility for unemployment benefits.