Rachel Algabasi with Julie
Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg
Life partner of Carmel fire victim to receive pension
Treasury deems lesbian life partner of IPS Lt.-Col. Pabiola Buhadana, who was killed in Carmel fire, eligible for survivors pension
The life partner of the IPS Lieutenant-Colonel Pabiola Buhadana, who was killed in the Carmel fire,
has been officially recognized as such by the Finance Ministry. In addition, Pabiola's daughter with her partner, Rachel Algabasi, will now be recognized as an orphan eligible for the survivor's benefits provided by the ministry.
Ynet revealed Wednesday that the Prison Service website added the fact that Buhadana lived with a life partner and the fact that they had a daughter together to the memorial listing.
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Buhadana lived with Algabasi as her common-law partner for five years. They raised Buhadana's two children together and nearly 18 months ago had a baby girl – Julie, with the help of the other children's father, though Algabasi was the one who was inseminated and carried the baby to term. Up to now, the authorities refused to recognize baby Julie as Buhadana's daughter.
Now, following a struggle with the authorities, the finance Ministry has agreed to recognize their daughter as an orphan in spite of the fact that Algabasi is her biological mother. The Prison Service said that all three of the children will now be eligible for a pension.
Julie will be receiving NIS 1,000 ($290) a month until she turns 18 and yet Algabasi's battle is far from over, she is now fighting the Defense Ministry's decision to not recognize Julie.
Raanan Ben-Zur contributed to this report
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