From the Liveblog of
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Knesset passes bill granting monetary benefits to those held hostage in Gaza
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"
Just one day before the beginning of its summer recess, the Knesset gives its final approval to an amendment to the National Insurance Law providing monthly compensatory benefits to people still held hostage or missing since October 7.
The bill, which passes its second and third readings in the Knesset plenum 17-0, will stay in effect until October 2026, with the possibility of additional year-long extensions at the discretion of the labor minister and the Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee.
The legislation constitutes a legislative extension of a soon-to-expire temporary measure passed earlier this year which provides payments to those held captive by Hamas in Gaza. It is intended to protect those held in Gaza from financial difficulties and debt.
Under the new law, monthly payments are to be determined based on the average income of those eligible for the last three months prior to their kidnapping or disappearance, with payments capped at NIS 50,000 ($13,665). Those without an income will also receive benefits under the law.
