The state has allocated NIS 14 million for Kimcha D’pischa, significantly less than last year despite the fact that almost NIS 18 million was allocated for it in the budget.

Chessed organizations that distribute tens of thousands of yomtov care packages have turned to the state ombudsman as Pesach is three weeks away and they have not received any funding to assist the poor. The criteria for qualifying for funds have also not been announced while the state simultaneously directs the poor to chessed organizations ahead of Pesach. The state also demands the package not be worth less than NIS 150 while state participation is only about NIS 10.

The Ministry of Welfare is questioning the sharp cut in state funding as Ombudsman Committee Chair MK Yisrael Eicher questions how there seems to be funding to assist so many walks of life but not enough to assist the needy ahead of Pesach. Eicher is demanding the NIS 18 million like last year, to come from both the treasury and Welfare Ministry.

Eichler has learned the funding has been allocated elsewhere but he is not accepting this, demanding the money be used for tzedaka as intended. The welfare budget including Bituach Leumi is NIS 70 billion, and Eichler sees no justification to cut the funds intended for Kimcha D’pischa.

Adding to Eicher’s anger is the new experimental program, a food security initiative in 38 communities but Bnei Brak is excluded. As far as Eichler is concerned, in Bnei Brak, the poor are chareidim and clearly, the state does not want them benefiting from the programs.

Eichler sent an urgent letter to the Finance and Welfare Ministries in which he stresses the importance of Kimcha D’pischa for the ministers. He calls on them to do what they can to raise the amount to NIS 18 before the government officially announces how much is being allocated. He points out that over recent years assistance has been cut and the sum is critical to assist the many in need.

Eicher also calls on the ministers to add Bnei Brak to the food security pilot program.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)