In Israel, Holocaust Survivors Demand Bigger Monthly Stipends

By BEN HUBBARD, Associated Press
August 6, 2007

JERUSALEM — Holocaust survivors in Israel demanded yesterday that the Jewish state increase what they consider a laughable new offer of $20 monthly stipends.

At least 500 elderly survivors and their supporters rallied outside the Parliament building, carrying placards and wearing stickers reading "The Holocaust is still here" and "Forgive us for surviving."

"The government of Israel has not recognized us. We don't belong to them," said Josef Charney, 82, who survived the Treblinka death camp.

Six decades after World War II and the Nazi killings of 6 million Jews, about 240,000 Holocaust survivors live in Israel. Many have long complained that instead of spending their final years in dignity, they lack money for basics, sometimes even food. Some have said European countries treat them far better than Israel.

Last week, the government announced $28 million in new stipends for 120,000 needy survivors — about half now in Israel. That works out to just 83 shekels — or $20 — a month for each survivor. Already existing benefits for survivors depend on factors such as country of origin, and come on top of state pensions and government health care available to all Israelis.

Prime Minister Olmert said the $20 supplement was a stopgap while the needs of the survivors are carefully analyzed, but many have deemed the measure an insult.

"We don't think that 83 shekels a month is enough," said Gal Rotem of the Holocaust Survivors' Welfare Fund, which helped organize the march. "You can't buy food or drugs or anything else with 83 shekels."

She noted the group was not growing, saying an average of 35 survivors die each day in Israel.

At yesterday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Mr. Olmert said the issue was "sensitive and painful" and acknowledged that previous governments had failed to address it. He said he would meet Wednesday with survivors' groups and government ministries to find the "best, fairest, and most just solution," according to a statement from his office.

Yesterday's protesters, however, doubted the government would act quickly.