Marking 80 years since 1945 — the year Auschwitz was liberated, the Holocaust ended, and World War II concluded — today (Wednesday), the Holocaust Survivors’ Authority released data about Israel’s residents who were wounded they bravely fought against the deadly Nazi war machine.
135 Disabled WWII Veterans
According to the authority’s data, 135 disabled WWII veterans currently live in Israel, ranging in age from 90 to 106. Among them, 21 are women, and 24 are still married. Just a few decades ago, there were about 14,000 such veterans in the country. However, as time has taken its toll, their numbers have gradually declined.
Most of these brave fighters immigrated to Israel during the 1990s, in the wake of the massive immigration wave from the former Soviet Union; a nation which fought the Nazis with extraordinary determination, and suffered the loss of approximately 25 million soldiers and civilians, including over one million Jews. 11 of these veterans came to Israel as early as the 1950s and witnessed the country’s transform from the ashes of the Holocaust to a flourishing, independent nation. The city with the largest population of disabled veterans is Netanya (15), followed closely by Ashdod, Haifa, and Ashkelon.
Celebrating Their Heroism
In recognition of their sacrifices, disabled veterans of the war against the Nazis receive an exclusive monthly stipend based on their level of disability, amounting to thousands of shekels. Additionally, they are entitled to an extensive benefits package, which includes full exemption from co-payments for medications in the health basket, full coverage for medical treatments, equipment, and disability-related aids, annual rehabilitation (often with a therapeutic companion), clothing grants, psychological treatments, social volunteer support, and more.
MK Uri Maklev, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and head of the Holocaust Survivors’ Authority, stated:
“Behind these numbers are people who endured the harshest suffering and challenges. With the passage of time, we can see the incredible difficulties they faced, and their message to future generations is a testament to the power of the human spirit, faith, and their remarkable revival. The Holocaust Survivors’ Rights Authority works tirelessly every day and every hour to provide vital health, personal, welfare, and social services for these esteemed survivors who mean so much to us.”
