Dorner says not to worry
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Survivors worry about delayed pensions
Holocaust survivors fear pensions won't be supplemented as promised by Olmert government, after finance committee delays vote on relevant budget
Holocaust survivors remain worried that the receipt of critical benefits, promised to them by the government, will be delayed or shelved. Monday evening, the Knesset finance committee postponed a vote on a budget cut across the board for all ministries, which was designed to generate increased funds for Holocaust survivors.
of the Dorner Commission on Holocaust Survivors, appointed several months ago by the current administration.
This reallocation of funds was intended to bolster the pensions of survivors living in Israel and was based on a recommendation
Government's promise
Yael Branovski
PM, finance minister agree to adopt Dorner report suggestions calling for an immediate increase of Holocaust survivors' pensions. Judge Dorner: 'With this decision we have managed to amend injustice done to survivors just in time'
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s Director-General Raanan Dinur stated a commitment that the survivors would receive the increased benefits before the holidays at the end of the month.
Commission chairman Dalia Dorner concurred that there was no reason to worry. “I’m totally optimistic. I believe that next week, this issue will be resolved. I have the feeling that most Knesset members are ready and willing to ensure that Holocaust survivors receive the funds they deserve,” she told Ynet.
“It is important that we not disappoint Holocaust survivors who are waiting on these sums which will help them a lot,” said Noah Flug, chairman of the umbrella organization of Holocaust survivors in Israel.
“We hope that members of the finance committee work quickly to bring about the implementation of the budget agreement before the holidays,” he added.
Pursuant to the postponed vote, the Prime Minister’s Office released the following statement: “This is harmful to the public at large and to government planning. If the finance committee will not approve the (the issue) by Sept. 9, the government will not be able to meet the commitments it made to the Holocaust survivors.”
