"I get the impression the red light of poverty in Israel has
lit among the policy makers and everyone is talking about
poverty. I am a bit wary of the talkers. Every pair of MKs
has a plan of their own. In my opinion the only practical
plan for addressing poverty is that of the National Insurance
Institute (Bituach Leumi), which has the professional
tools to formulate it," said Deputy Welfare Minister Rabbi
Avrohom Ravitz during a special meeting with the National
Insurance Institute's board of directors and branch managers
shortly before Rosh Hashonoh.
Rabbi Ravitz said the eve of Rosh Hashana is a time for self-
reflection and Am Yisroel should consider the cost-
benefit ratio and the profit-loss ratio in everything related
to taking care of the weak elements of the population. "The
economic policy took a high toll and claimed many victims.
The price Israel paid for the growth, which surpassed
expectations, is too high and Israel has turned into a poorer
country overall. Who knows and feels the poverty in this
country like you? I really hope the light that has been lit
will bring the policy makers to do what is incumbent on them
by adopting the National Insurance Institute's plan to
confront poverty properly and to return the smile to families
of limited means, large families and hundreds of thousands of
hungry children."
National Insurance Director Dr. Yigal Ben-Shalom said that
the Institute is available to all of Klal Yisroel from
all social classes, just as the Arba Minim represent
the different components of the Jewish population. "We
succeeded in several areas, such as the cancellation of the
decrees that sought to impose the Arrangements Law on the
Institute, an increase in old-age allotments and other
developments for the public. But most of all we conveyed the
message of Israel's poor and I am happy to hear that this has
penetrated where needed, although at this stage we are having
trouble negotiating the implementation of the war on
poverty."
Dr. Ben-Shalom praised Rabbi Ravitz for standing by the
Institute and its workers and "properly representing the
fundamental rights of National Insurance holders in the
government and in the Knesset."
The branch managers told the Deputy Minister and the
executive ranks of Bituach Leumi about the problems they face
on a day-to-day basis at their respective branches. "I
confront this poverty face-to-face and lack the ability to
help effectively. I express my heartfelt sentiments and
except for the external symptoms I don't have the ability to
help them," bemoaned one manager. The managers from Rishon
Letzion, Ramle and the Haifa Bay suburbs invited the Deputy
Minister to meet with them at their branches for a close-up
look.
The National Insurance figures for 5765 reveal that Israel
has fewer unemployment and Guaranteed Income (Havtachat
Hachnasa) recipients and more handicapped allotment
recipients than last year. The National Insurance Institute
attributes this not to a real improvement in the fundamentals
but just to stricter eligibility requirements.
According to the statistics released in 5765, an average of
53,000 residents received unemployment per month, compared to
60,000 per month in 5764—a decrease of 13 percent. In
5765 an average of 144,300 families received Guaranteed
Income allotments compared to 149,700 in 5764—a
decrease of 3.2 percent. This figure points to stabilization
in the number of Guaranteed Income recipients. The slight
decrease is attributed to residual effects of the 2003
Arrangements Law.
