The Cabinet approved special assistance for new immigrants from Tunisia Sunday, as the plight of Jews in the North African country pushes dozens of families to immigrate to Israel. In a press statement, the Cabinet noted that there has been a worsening in the attitudes of Tunisian authorities and society toward the Jewish community. The situation is exacerbated by the difficult economic conditions in the country since the revolution, the government stated.
According to the government plan, the immigrants – approximately 25 families in the first stage – will receive special assistance worth 15,000 shekels per family, for the 7th-12th months following their immigration, and another 18,000 shekels for the 13th-24th months following their date of immigration.
This is in addition to the usual assistance provided to new immigrants.
The Cabinet also authorized Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to consider providing assistance to new immigrants in the area of mortgages.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "We know that there is real distress among the Jews of Tunisia, many of whom would like to immigrate to Israel. We will increase the absorption basket in order to allow them to do so. Israel is the state of the Jews. It cares for Jews wherever they are; those who are here and those who would like to come here."
Absorption Minister Sofa Landver said that, "The Government of Israel must see to the needs of new immigrants who arrive here hastily from Tunisia, without sufficient advance preparation like other immigrants. This proposal, which was formulated along with the Jewish Agency, is designed to ease, and answer, the difficulties for the families that – given the sensitive situation – decided to come here."
