End to benefits discrimination against terror orphans
Knesset plenum approves bill amending legislative absurdity that grants children who lost both parents to terror attacks less aid than those who lost one
The Knesset bill to increase the benefits awarded to those who have lost both parents in terror attacks passed its second and third readings in the plenum on Monday.
Authored by MK Zevulun Orlev (National Union – NRP), the bill gained considerable traction after Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik became its lead proponent and pushed to expedite the legislative proceedings.
The current compensation regulations are based on the military's code for bereaved families, typically the parents, widow and children of a single fatality. But years of terror attacks which have wreaked havoc to the home front have left a saddening number of young Israelis bereaved of both parents.
But under the current law, there is no room to adjust the compensation for these orphans so it accounts for the horrific scope of their tragedy.
According to the amended law, monetary grants would also be awarded to the person or people who take on the role of caretakers for the children.
"This proposal aimed to correct the absurdity of the existing situation, whereby those who were orphaned of both parents received less aid from the state than those who lost one," said MK Orlev following the plenum readings.
"Due to their unique circumstances, it is only fitting to prioritize the needs of these orphans and make sure they are met, so as to ease their suffering, if only slightly. This law aims to fulfill our moral and human obligations towards children, whose parents were both murdered in terror attacks," he said, going on to lavish praise on Itzik for her role in ensuring the bill passed before the Knesset disperses ahead of the upcoming elections.
Speaking after the plenum vote, Itzik said: "Today we have amended a grave injustice that has been going on for many long years."
At the age of 23, Menashe Gavish had just completed his military service when he was suddenly forced to become a dad to his four younger siblings after his parents, grandfather and older brother were murdered
by a terrorist who infiltrated the family's home in Elon Moreh.
Together with his young wife he shouldered the responsibility of caring for his orphaned family, but felt he wasn't getting enough support from the state. Today's vote gives him hope things will change for the better.
"These have been six years of battles. It's absurd that if you lose one parent you get more from the state than if you lose both. Other than psychological treatment I'm not entitled to anything. You have to take care of everything: property, parent-teacher conferences, and there's not help. Your life just falls apart. If you're orphaned from one parent it's 50%, but losing the second parent doesn't make it 100% - it's 150%," he says.
