Hundreds of elderly residents and people with disabilities from communities along Israel’s northern conflict zone have been relocated to sheltered hotels ahead of Passover, as part of a joint national emergency initiative by the Tzalir Fund and Mifal HaPais.
The "Banu" (Hebrew for “We Came”) national emergency initiative led by Tzalir Fund, was launched to provide immediate housing solutions for vulnerable populations who cannot access protected spaces during rocket alerts.
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Site of rocket impact in northern Israel
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As families across Israel prepare for the Passover Seder, organizers say thousands of elderly residents in affected areas remain exposed to ongoing security threats. “For them, the question is not what will be on the table, but where they can be safe during an alarm,” according to a statement released by the initiative.
Under the program, eligible residents — primarily those over age 75 — are transferred to hotels in cities such as Haifa and Tiberias that offer accessible protected spaces. The initiative also covers transportation, daily assistance and on-site support.
According to organizers, hundreds of hotel rooms have already been secured, with projections that more than 2,000 evacuees will be accommodated by the holiday.
Mifal HaPais, Israel’s national lottery operator, recently joined the initiative, contributing 1 million shekels (about $270,000) to expand its scope. The funding is expected to support approximately 300 additional evacuees.
“As part of our activities since the beginning of the war, we are working to provide real-time responses to needs arising from the field,” said Mifal HaPais chairman Itzik Lari. “Joining the ‘Banu’ initiative is a direct continuation of this effort, with the goal of assisting the most vulnerable populations.”
Beyond accommodation, the initiative operates support systems within each hotel, including volunteers who provide personal assistance, organize social activities and help maintain daily routines. Organizers said teams also ensure that rooms are accessible and located near protected areas.
Plans are also underway to hold communal Passover seders in each hotel, led by volunteers, in an effort to provide residents with a sense of normalcy during the holiday.
The initiative was established amid concerns that some vulnerable populations remain without adequate protection during security incidents, particularly those unable to quickly reach shelters. Organizers describe the program as a practical response aimed at closing that gap.
In addition to Mifal HaPais, the initiative is supported by several private-sector partners, including Milgam and Madison Pharma. The Tzalir Fund, founded by Tzilit and Meir Jacobson, focuses on strengthening civilian resilience in emergency situations through cooperation between communities, businesses and civil society groups.