April 14, 2003
12 Nisan, 5763
Jerusalem

JEWISH AGENCY AND IMMIGRANT ORGANIZATIONS PETITION THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE AGAINST GVT OF ISRAEL

In a rare step, the Jewish Agency and the Council of Immigrant Associations today (14 April) petitioned to the High Court of Justice against the Government of Israel, for breach of commitments made by the State to new immigrants to grant them assistance in the purchase of an apartment. The petition, “Against the Government of Israel, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Construction and Housing,” was submitted by Adv. Renato Yarak.

The Government, until its recent decision in the context of the Economic Program, had offered immigrants a special grant for the acquisition of an apartment as part of a mortgage-grant package. This governmental commitment to assist immigrants to begin a new life in Israel, was an important factor in enabling Jews to immigrate to Israel. This assistance allowed new immigrants to have an easier absorption in Jewish Agency absorption centers, and made it possible for them to leave these temporary abodes within a short period of time, by purchasing their own apartments and integrating into the mainstream of Israeli society. The Government awarded this eligibility for fifteen years.

The Government, by its precipitous decision to annul all apartment acquisition grants without giving immigrants time to prepare for this drastic change, has effectively disregarded all of its commitments. It has thereby brought economic harm to tens of thousands of new immigrant families who are presently in the midst of integrating into Israeli society, as well as to potential olim who have already taken major steps towards their immigration.

The Housing and Finance ministries decided that the annulment of these grants would take effect tomorrow. Hence the Jewish Agency and the Council of Immigrant Associations petitioned the High Court of Justice today.

Jewish Agency Chairman Sallai Meridor said, “The Government of Israel has taken an unprecedented step that goes against the most basic values. It has blatantly broken its commitments and has caused material damage to immigrants, without even giving them any grace period in order to allow them to make use of their eligibility. This decision, if it remains unchanged will greatly harm immigrants who are already in Israel, the future of immigration to Israel and that of Israeli society.

For additional information contact
the Office of the Spokesman:
Yehuda Weinraub
Liaison to Foreign Press and Media
Jewish Agency for Israel
Mobile:972-53-927017
Fax: 972-2-6204013