Shoah survivor to get income support

After two different courts deny his request, High Court orders National Insurance Institute to pay 81-year-old Leon Ivanir guaranteed minimal income and old age pension. 'My insistence paid off,' he says

Reuters | Published: 11.30.10, 08:36

The High Court of Justice ruled Monday that Leon Ivanir, an 81-year-old Holocaust survivor, is entitled to a guaranteed minimal income and an old age pension from the National Insurance Institute, after his request was previously denied twice by two different courts.

The petition was filed two years ago, after the NII rejected Ivanir's request for income support, claiming that the Holocaust survivor was entitled to reparations from Germany on a monthly basis, which already served as his income.

Ivanir did not give up and turned to the District Labor Court, which denied his request. He moved on to the National Labor Court, which also gave him a negative answer. But the Holocaust survivor would not give up, and decided to petition the High Court of Justice.

Three High Court Judges – Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish, Hanan Melcer and Miriam Naor – ruled that because he is a Holocaust survivor and due to his shaky medical condition, Ivanir is entitled to guaranteed minimal income.

The justices noted, however, that this applied to Ivanir only and that any other case would be examined according to procedures.

'Very satisfied with outcome'

"I feel that my insistence paid off," Ivanir said excitedly after the court hearing. "In 2006 I read that anyone who reached pension age and does not have one could demand income supplement from the National Insurance Institute.

"When I sued them they replied that I was receiving reparations from Germany and was not entitled, but I struggled and said I was personally being harmed. And so I decided to sue them and I'm glad that the High Court judges accepted my request."

His lawyer, Attorney Shlomo Eigner, added: "Ivanir asked for income support because he reached a situation of economic distress. One must remember that we are talking about a Holocaust survivor with a high degree of disability.

"The High Court ruled today that Ivanir's reparations from Germany will not be considered as income, and therefore he is entitled for the social payments. We are very satisfied with the outcome."