Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that he had ordered the transfer of 50 million shekels to Holocaust survivors.

Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said he had agreed on the amount with Finance Minister Yair Lapid.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at last cabinet meeting of current government, March 10, 2013. – Photo: GPO

He also addressed a wave of recent attacks on the elderly saying that the government would “apply its full weight” to prevent such crimes and to punish the perpetrators. “In recent days we have witnessed shocking incidents of attacks on elderly people including Holocaust survivors… we will not tolerate attacks on the elderly” he asserted.

He stressed that Israel has a deep commitment to the elderly and to Holocaust survivors in particular: “These people survived the horrors of the Holocaust… they built the state of Israel.”

The prime minister added that he also wanted to add 15 million shekels to the pharmaceutical budget in order to better aid the elderly population.

On Sunday afternoon, a march on behalf of rights for Holocaust survivors was slated to occur among other events on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The march, organized by elderly rights organization, “Ken Le’zaken” (Yes to the Elderly) was to take place under the initiative of the non-profit organization, “Aviv Le’nitzolei Ha’shoah” (Spring for Holocaust Survivors). Participants planned to call on the government to enact a Bill of Rights for survivors, to ensure that the 18,000 Holocaust survivors “live with dignity and welfare”.

Participants were scheduled to assemble at  Habima Square in Tel Aviv. The march was set to proceed down Rothschild Boulevard toward Beit Ha’atzmaut at The Israel Museum.

View original Jerusalem Post publication at: http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/PM-orders-transfer-of-50m-NIS-to-Holocaust-survivors-308965