Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently finished a visit to the city of Ofakim, which lost 50 of its residents during a heroic battle against 20 terrorists who infiltrated the city on Shabbat Simchat Torah, October 7th.
During the visit, attended by the leaders of the Torah community settlement group 'Afikei Orot', Samotrich met with the Mayor, Itzik Danino, and informed him that he had decided to include the city of Ofakim in the list of cities eligible for 100% compensation for indirect damage. This process is currently in the legal drafting stage that defines the criteria. In addition, the Minister scheduled a follow-up meeting with the mayors of Ofakim, Netivot, and Merhavim to discuss significant steps for the development of the region.
"The country's first line of defense has been breached, and we are working hard to restore trust and provide security to all Israeli citizens," said Smotrich. "We are working very diligently in the socio-economic cabinet to provide efficient and effective responses from all government ministries to every Israeli citizen."
Smotrich assured that "the city of Ofakim will be included in the list of cities receiving 100% compensation for both direct and indirect damage. Together with Mayor Itzik Danino and the mayors of Netivot and Merhavim, we will open up this region, making it a regional growth engine."
The Mayor of Ofakim, Itzik Danino, said, "I have just completed a working meeting with the Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, who is committed to the city and its residents. I was very pleased to hear about his broad approach to everything related to compensation and the development of the city of Ofakim."