02.04.09

The National Insurance Institute has discontinued disability benefit payments to thousands of handicapped in Gaza Strip

Gaza Strip residents no loner receiving disability benefits

Following complaints by four Gaza residents, it turned out that as of January 2009, the National Insurance Institute has discontinued transferring disability benefit payments to residents of Gaza Strip, without prior notice or any apparent reason. Approximately 5000 Palestinians have been receiving these benefits for many years, after being injured in work-related accidents while working legally in Israel.

The National Insurance Institute acknowledged their entitlement to disability benefits and transferred a monthly pay of NIS 1600.
Consequently, benefit recipients were left in limbo without being able to inquire into the nature of the discontinuation due to the current political situation.

These people are already in dire straits, as entire families subsisted on disability benefits as a source of livelihood. Some are already on the verge of hunger.

WAC has approached Ilana Schreibman of the National Insurance Institute, and is waiting for her reply.

For further info contact WAC spokesperson Nir Nader at 050-6839443.