After an expedited parliamentary process, the Knesset voted unanimously in favor of the bill by Knesset member Israel Eichler, chairman of the Labor and Welfare Committee, to recognize the families of the abducted as families affected by acts of hostility.
The Labor and Welfare Committee will discuss the preparation of the bill for its first reading, with the goal of completing the entire legislative process within a few days.
MK Rabbi Eichler: "I thank the 83 Knesset members who signed the bill, as well as the Chairman of the Coalition, MK Ofir Katz, who did everything to expedite the parliamentary proceedings."
After an expedited parliamentary process in the Knesset committee and the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, the Knesset plenum voted unanimously, both the coalition and the opposition, in favor of the bill proposed by the Chairman of the Labor and Welfare Committee, MK Israel Eichler, to recognize the abductees' families as victims of hostility. This will allow them to receive comprehensive care and financial support.
"There are no disagreements, no coalition and no opposition"
Before the vote, MK Eichler said, "On Saturday, we read the Haftarah from the words of the prophet Isaiah, 'For a brief moment, I abandoned you, but with deep compassion, I will bring you back. In a surge of anger, I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness, I will have compassion on you,' says the Lord, your Redeemer." It is not the time to question why the Lord did this to the land. It is time for practical answers to help, support, and heal the brokenness of my people.
"In the matter we are convening for now, there are no differences of opinion, no opposition, and no coalition. In fact, the majority of you has wholeheartedly endorsed this bill, so there is not even a need to convince you to support the bill, as you have all signed it yourselves."
"Legislation in Israel provides various benefits and compensations to the families of those who fell as victims of hostile acts or of IDF soldiers and security forces personnel who were killed in the line of duty. However, when it comes to missing, abducted, and captivated individuals, the legal framework is lacking. Already last week, I stated in the Labor and Welfare Committee that we must recognize the families of the abducted as families affected by acts of hostility. I am pleased that the Finance Minister, Labor Minister, and the National Insurance Institute, along with all the relevant parties, have worked to approve regulations and agreements that will provide immediate assistance to the families of the abducted. We at the committee also held a consultation discussion yesterday and approved the agreement with the National Insurance," acknowledged Member of Knesset Eichler.
A law that will allow the maximum assistance
However, he clarified the significance of the law, saying, "But that is still not enough. In order to fill the gap and provide assistance to the families of the many abducted and missing individuals from the mentioned events, and to alleviate some of their burden, it is necessary to legislate a law that will enable comprehensive assistance. Therefore, we are presenting for immediate vote today a bill to establish that the family members of missing, abducted, or captive individuals will be entitled to the rights granted to the families of citizens under the Compensation for Victims of Hostile Acts Law, 1970 (hereinafter - the Hostile Acts Victims Law) or to the family members of soldiers and security personnel according to the Soldiers' Families Law, subject to the authority of the Defense Minister to determine, with the approval of the Knesset Labor and Welfare Committee, that the provisions of those laws will apply to them with appropriate adaptations or changes to be determined."
MK Rabbi Eichler added, "I want to thank everyone who quickly mobilized to draft the law and pass it through all the necessary procedural stages. To the committee's management, the legal advisor to the committee, the Knesset's legal advisor, Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz, and all the eighty-three MKs who signed the bill."
As mentioned, the Knesset plenum voted overwhelmingly in favor of the bill. It has now been passed for further discussion in the Labor and Welfare Committee to prepare it for its first reading, with the goal of completing the legislative process within a few days.