Neta Halevi. The plaintiff
Orphans of both parents denied double grant
Insurance Institute refuses to provide double wedding grant for orphans that lost both parents in terror attacks; 7 of the bereaved appeal to court for change
Seven orphans, each of whom lost both of their parents to terror attacks in recent years, have appealed to the National Insurance Institute of Israel following its refusal to give them a double grant promised to orphans upon wedlock. The institute agreed to grant them the amount given to orphans bereaved of one parent, but refused the tens of thousands of shekels due for the other parent.
One of the plaintiffs is Neta Halevi, whose parents were killed by a suicide bomber two years ago. Others include the children of those killed during the terror attack of Passover Eve in 2002.
According to the claim, which was submitted a year ago, Neta Halevi planned to marry but could not afford the expenses of the wedding. She appealed to the Insurance Institute but was denied a double grant. The explanation she received was that she was eligible only for the regular grant given to orphans, though no precedent existed for an appeal following the death of both parents.
In the summation handed to the court, the attorney for the prosecution wrote, "While the Defense Ministry does everything in its power to assist the bereaved families, the Insurance Institute only makes it difficult for the orphans of those murdered in terror attacks. This is a very difficult statement to make, but it is based on painful experiences, which have left a searing mark."
Halevi told Ynet that she had never doubted she would receive a grant for both parents. "This has hurt me badly," she said. "My parents were killed because they live in this country, and I had hoped the State would support me." She added that the very fact that the case had to be taken to court was difficult to bear.
