Israeli Parties Pledge Support for Elderly Immigrant Pensioner Program

The "Hazit HaKavod" movement hosted a conference for leaders of 45 organizations within the Forum for Supporting Immigrant Pensioners, focusing on a program to improve the lives of elderly immigrants. The program, prepared for the upcoming Knesset elections, outlines specific measures for low-income pensioners. The movement sought to gauge which parties would support their proposals for legislative action to aid these seniors and others living below the poverty line.

Representatives from "Likud," "Yesh Atid," Yisrael Beiteinu (NDI), "Yashar," and "Zehut" attended, outlining their past efforts and future intentions. Minister Ze'ev Elkin of "Likud" highlighted his long-standing collaboration with "Hazit HaKavod" since 2006, recalling his initiative in 2015-2016 as Minister of Aliyah and Integration to develop a program for elderly immigrants, incorporating the movement's recommendations. Knesset Member Tatiana Mazarsky of "Yesh Atid" discussed her work advocating for Holocaust survivors from the former Soviet Union and elderly individuals with disabilities, noting that while some were recognized as Holocaust victims, their rights are not equal to those from European countries. She plans to pursue legislation to rectify this, with "Yesh Atid" leader Yair Lapid reportedly promising equal rights for these survivors.

Knesset Member Evgeny Sova of Yisrael Beiteinu stated the party's commitment to improving the situation of elderly immigrants, including raising the minimum pension to the level of the minimum wage, estimated at approximately 6,443 shekels monthly, an increase of about 2,000 shekels. He also pledged to end discrimination against Holocaust survivors from the former Soviet Union. Alex Rif, a candidate for "Yashar," stated that the party has incorporated most of "Hazit HaKavod's" proposals into its platform, stemming from his prior work with the "Million Lobby" movement advocating for elderly immigrants. Arkady Mutter, a "Zehut" candidate, reported that party leader Moshe Feiglin promised to fight for equal rights for Soviet-born Holocaust survivors.

"Hazit HaKavod" estimates that over 150,000 elderly immigrants from the former Soviet Union face financial hardship due to a lack of Israeli pension savings, bureaucratic hurdles, and the absence of pensions from their countries of origin. The movement estimates the state owes these pensioners approximately five billion shekels, or up to 2,500 shekels per person monthly. A Knesset committee meeting on February 24, 2026, discussed a report indicating that Holocaust survivors from the former Soviet Union receive significantly less state support than those from European countries, with 73% living below the poverty line compared to 1% of European survivors.

Following the conference, "Likud," "Yesh Atid," Yisrael Beiteinu, "Yashar," and "Zehut" all expressed readiness to support the program. "Hazit HaKavod" President Alexander Berman emphasized the need for unity among public organizations and public awareness to advance the program and achieve legislative changes.