Welfare Ministry Warns Budget Cuts Are 'Death Sentence' for Vulnerable Populations
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Israel's Ministry of Welfare and Social Services is facing a NIS 160 million budget cut after its appeal to the Ministry of Finance was denied. The funds were intended for vulnerable populations including at-risk youth and victims of violence. Officials warn this will cripple their ability to provide essential services, especially amid rising demand. The Finance Ministry cited unspecified "security needs" for the cuts, which are part of a broader reduction affecting multiple government ministries.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's Welfare Ministry faces a NIS 160 million budget cut impacting vulnerable populations.
- The Ministry of Finance rejected the Welfare Ministry's appeal to prevent the cuts.
- The cuts are designated for at-risk youth, people with disabilities, the elderly, and abuse survivors.
- Welfare officials warn the cuts will prevent them from providing professional services.
- The Finance Ministry cited unspecified "security needs" for the reductions.
- This marks the first time the Welfare Ministry is included in broad budget cuts.
Senior officials from Israel's Ministry of Welfare and Social Services have urgently appealed to the Ministry of Finance to prevent planned budget cuts, warning that the reductions would be a "death sentence" for vulnerable populations. Their plea was rejected, leaving the ministry facing an additional 5% cut, amounting to NIS 160 million, which is designated for at-risk youth, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and female survivors of violence. This new reduction follows an earlier cut of approximately NIS 400 million.
For the first time, the Welfare Ministry has been included in the broad budget cuts, deviating from a usual practice of exempting social services ministries to protect those in need. The Ministry of Finance stated that the cuts are being considered for "security needs" but has not provided specific details. Welfare Ministry officials expressed grave concern over their diminished capacity to provide professional services, especially during a period of dramatically increased demand for social assistance due to the current situation. "We are left with no ability to provide a professional response," a senior official told N12, adding that the cuts would effectively end programs for citizens in need.
Sources within the Finance Ministry indicated that other government ministries also sought exemptions from cuts, leading to the decision for an across-the-board reduction. These sources also noted that they had warned that significant budget increases for the defense establishment would come at the expense of civilian services.
