From the Liveblog of
Sunday, September 28, 2025
Knesset committee advances bill to double funds for groups helping veterans, terror victims
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
The Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee votes to advance a bill to double state support for veterans’ and terror victims’ organizations, setting annual allocations at NIS 150 million for IDF disabled veterans’ groups and NIS 10 million for associations of civilians harmed in attacks and their families.
The bill will now move to a second and third reading in the Knesset plenum.
The legislation was introduced by Likud MK Ofir Katz and opposition members Yisrael Beytenu MK Sharon Nir and Yesh Atid MK Yorai Lahav-Hertzano, reflecting unusually broad agreement for the need to strengthen rehabilitation and support frameworks.
“It is the duty of the State of Israel to stand as a solid wall behind those who did everything to protect us all,” says Nir. “On these issues, there is no coalition or opposition — only uncompromising commitment to IDF soldiers and victims of hostilities.”
The law establishes a permanent funding framework. Funds will be directed toward rehabilitation, sports, cultural, and social programs, as well as construction and renovation of facilities such as Beit Halocem centers, which serve as rehabilitation hubs for disabled veterans. For the first time, the law allows direct state funding for building and upgrading these centers.
Support for victims of terror and bereaved families will also expand, with allocations for welfare, rehabilitation, and community programs, as well as new and upgraded facilities.
The Times of Israel Community.