Gadi Eisenkot's YASHR Party Unveils Comprehensive Plan for Seniors

The YASHR party, led by Gadi Eisenkot, has launched an extensive welfare program targeting Israel's elderly population. The plan, presented at a conference in Nordia attended by hundreds of seniors, aims to bolster the economic, health, and personal security of older Israelis.

Eisenkot stated at the event, "The veteran citizens are the generation that built the country and served it for decades. Our basic commitment is to ensure they can live here with dignity." He emphasized the party's dedication to providing economic, health, and mental security, enabling seniors to remain active and significant members of society.

Key proposals include raising the old-age pension for low-income individuals, such as Holocaust survivors and those with low pensions despite working in Israel. A permanent mechanism to prevent pension erosion and proactive government efforts to streamline benefits and reduce bureaucracy are also planned. The party advocates for mandatory long-term care insurance for all citizens to ensure market stability, which has faced recent volatility and cuts.

Furthermore, YASHR proposes stricter penalties for financial scams targeting the elderly, enhanced enforcement resources, and a system to temporarily halt large credit transactions. A national initiative to combat loneliness includes mapping elderly populations, actively reaching out to isolated individuals, and establishing a National Council for Senior Citizens to formulate long-term policy.

The plan also addresses employment flexibility for those over 67, recognizing work with seniors as a preferred option for discharged soldiers and national service volunteers. It includes increasing geriatric-rehabilitation hospital beds, incentivizing geriatric specialization for doctors, expanding telemedicine, and providing mental health support for families of dependent seniors. Additionally, YASHR aims to improve voting accessibility for seniors in sheltered housing and nursing homes, create a unified service center for bureaucratic needs, and regulate supported living arrangements.