Germany has announced that it will offer a one-time payment of $236 (€220) to 113,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel to assist them in dealing with the aftermath of the recent Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel. The total compensation amounting to $27 million (€25 million) will be distributed to the survivors, as confirmed by the German finance ministry.
A spokesperson from the German finance ministry highlighted the challenges faced by many Holocaust survivors following the attacks, including the loss of homes and support systems. The additional funds are intended to provide swift assistance to the survivors during what has been described as a 'frightening and hopeless war situation.'
The recent Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel resulted in significant casualties, with at least 1,200 people killed and over 250 individuals abducted. In response, Israeli military actions in Gaza have led to the deaths of at least 33,634 Palestinians and injuries to 76,214 others, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
The one-time payment of $236 to each Holocaust survivor in Israel is being facilitated by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) in collaboration with the German government. Gideon Taylor, president of the Claims Conference, commended the payment scheme as a gesture of solidarity towards the survivors.
The German Finance Ministry emphasized that the payment of 25 million euros is a symbolic acknowledgment of the challenges faced by Holocaust survivors in Israel, particularly in light of the rise of anti-Semitism globally. German officials reiterated their commitment to Israel's security, citing it as a fundamental aspect of Germany's foreign policy due to the historical atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
