The Ministry of Social Affairs, along with family members of individuals staying in special housing for the mentally retarded, protested Monday the Finance Ministry's intention to privatize state-funded facilities.
The Finance Ministry announced recently that it intends to start privatizing the State facilities, which currently house some 1,200 occupants of all ages, suffering from various degrees of mental retardation.
The privatization of these facilities would result in the firing of staff members, leading to a decrease in the level of care given to the patients, warns the Ministry of Social Affairs.
"Looking at privatization as the immediate solution is simply unacceptable. It's unfair and unjust," Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog told Ynet.
"There is a real concern that an irresponsible handoff of these facilities might hurt their patients. This isn't a simple business decision. We're talking about people who've already been horribly struck by fate," he added.
Any move regarding the housing facilities must be made after careful consideration and conferring with the patients parents and guardians.
"I will oppose any unilateral move and any decision that won't assure the wellbeing of both patients and employees… the State must make sure its facilities set the standards for both the public and private sectors" said Herzog.
"This is killing us," Nitza Mazor, head of the parent association of the Tel Mond facility for mentally challenged children, told Ynet.
"We want the children to stay in their familiar surroundings, with the highly trained staff that has taken care of them for dozens of years," she added.
"The current administration cares about the children. The next one will care about the bottom line. We won't let that happen."