East Jerusalem Arabs are benefitting substantially from national health insurance, old age pensions and accident compensation programs in the city, Labor Minister Yosef Almogi reported today. He said that figures available for the past four years showed a sharp increase in the benefits paid.
Almogi reported that 4006 birth benefits were paid in 1972 compared to 2172 in 1968 in East Jerusalem. Arab mothers have become accustomed to giving birth in hospitals, he said. The number of large families covered by health subsidies rose from 1465 in 1968 to 7121 in 1973, he reported. These families received more than IL 17 million in one year for more than 40,000 children. The subsidies are paid directly to the mothers, thus elevating the woman’s status in the family, Almogi said.
He reported that more than 2000 elderly persons and 250 widows and orphans receive old age-and survivors benefits in East Jerusalem. In the past year, 1368 Arab employees there received accident payments compared to 96 in 1968, Almogi said.
Israel will be among the 25 countries participating in the 1973 food fair in Copenhagen from Oct. 12-21. About 30 Israeli food industries will be represented. 100,000 visitors are expected.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
