“I am full of despair. I want to cry,” explains retired Supreme Court Justice Dalia Dorner, who headed the commission which recommends making immediate payment to 43,000 Holocaust survivors. She explains the survivors were sorely mistreated by the governments of Israel, and now, they must receive significantly larger monthly assistance payments, permitting them a better quality of life during their remaining years.

Despite the firm position taken by the commission, which speaks of the ethical and moral injustices perpetrated against the survivors, it is already clear that the government of Ehud Olmert has other plans for spending its money.

On Monday, the director-general of the Prime Minister’s Bureau Ra’anan Dinor met with representatives of the survivors, explaining a plan that addresses the needs of 7,000 survivors, who as the poorest of the group – seeking to lower the sum given to the 43,000 as per the Dorner Commission.

According to a Yediot Achronot report, at present it appears the poorest survivors will not be seeing anything significant and the government is already making changes in the commission’s recommendations.

Dorner responded angrily, speaking of the “graduates of the death camps and death march, those who suffered and lived difficult lives. Does anyone think these people are looking to make millions?”

Dorner adds, “Not only does the government not make payment to survivors, but it takes the claims conference funds and uses it for itself. Blood money! The State of Israel may not take funds intended for the survivors and use it elsewhere. It is terrible. I am full of despair. I am terribly saddened. I did not believe that this would be the outcome of the commission’s recommendations.”

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)