Welfare Ministry Warns Budget Cuts Are 'Death Sentence'
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Israel's Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs is facing a NIS 160 million budget cut, despite pleas to the Ministry of Finance to prevent it. The funds were allocated for vulnerable populations, including at-risk youth and victims of violence. Senior ministry officials warn the cuts will cripple their ability to provide essential services during a period of high demand.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs faces a NIS 160 million budget cut impacting vulnerable populations.
- Senior ministry officials described the budget cuts as a 'death sentence' for social programs.
- This cut is the first time the Welfare Ministry has been included in across-the-board reductions.
- The Ministry of Finance cited unspecified 'security needs' for the cuts.
- Welfare officials warn of an inability to provide professional services due to the reduced budget.
Senior officials from Israel's Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs have urgently appealed to the Ministry of Finance to prevent planned budget cuts, but their request was denied. The Welfare Ministry is now facing an additional 5% cut, amounting to NIS 160 million, which is designated for vulnerable populations including at-risk youth, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and women who are survivors of violence. This new cut follows a previous reduction of approximately NIS 400 million from the ministry's budget.
For the first time, the Welfare Ministry has been included in the across-the-board budget cuts, a departure from the usual practice of exempting social welfare programs to protect needy populations. The Ministry of Finance is reportedly considering these cuts due to unspecified "security needs," but has declined to provide concrete details. Officials at the Welfare Ministry are warning of severe difficulties in providing essential services to citizens as a result of the diminished budget.
A senior official from the Welfare Ministry told N12 that the cuts leave the ministry "without any ability to provide a professional response," especially during a time of dramatically increased demand for welfare assistance due to the current situation. The official described the cuts as a "death sentence" for all programs intended to assist citizens in need.
