Compensation for Terror Victims Broadened

The Knesset has approved a broadening of benefits for Israelis killed or wounded in terror attacks abroad to include victims of “hostile actions” by an organization one of whose goals is to harm Israel, Israeli citizens or Jews in general, even if the particular attack in question did specifically target Israel or Jews.

On March 21, the Knesset adopted the Defense Ministry proposal to amend the 1970 Benefits for Victims of Hostilities Law, such that six victims so far will be granted eligibility for the financial and other benefits that the law provides, it was announced on Wednesday.

Defense Ministry deputy legal adviser Yedidia Oron decided to recognize the following: Shmuel Benalal, Hy”d, who was murdered in a terrorist attack in Mali in 2015; Dalia Elkayam, Hy”d, who was killed in the Berlin truck-ramming attack in December, and yblc”t her husband, Rami, who was wounded; Layan Nasser, Hy”d, who was killed in January’s Istanbul club shooting; and Chaim Winternitz, who was wounded in the Brussels airport bombing in March 2016.

The decision was communicated to Israel’s National Insurance Institute, which dispenses financial and other assistance to victims of “hostile actions” and their families.