יום חמישי י"ח באדר ב תשפ"ד 28/03/2024
Search
  • The Mission Continues

    As in the past so it remains today - we were and still are under the selfsame commitment to adhere to the directions of the Gedolei Yisrael, who stand guard against breaches of purity threatening our camp. When we were required to ask – we asked. When we were instructed to depart – we left. The moment we are summoned back to raise the flag, every other consideration is pushed to the side and we answer: We are ready!

    Read More...

בראי היום

  • Harav Yisrael Friedman zy”a, the Rebbe of Husyatin

    מוטי, ויקיפדיה העברית

    The ancestral chain of Harav Yisrael Friedman, the founder of the Husyatin chassidic court, originates with the holy Baal Shem Tov. The Husyatin chassidus has its roots in Galicia and eventually came to Tel Aviv, during the turbulent years between the two World Wars.

    Read More...

Place

  • Maccabi'im Gravesite

    In honour of Chanukah, we will discuss a fascinating, ongoing investigation attempting to establish the place of burial of Mattisyahu Kohen Gadol and his family.

    Read More...

Join Our Mailing List!

Please add a Valid Email Address
Join
Thanks!

In News

Herzog: Immediately Freeze the Water Price Hike

Minister Herzog has asked the Prime Minister to immediately cancel the rise in water rates, but at the same time, to significantly increase the price of excessive water use.

16/12/2009 14:15
The Minister of Welfare and Social Services, Yitchak Herzog, submitted a request to the Prime Minister today, asking him to bring the issue of increasing water rates to the Knesset meeting scheduled for Sunday, December 20. Herzog wants to postpone the increase in the price of water, scheduled to be implemented in April 2010. Herzog wants to postpone the price increase.

"Water is a basic commodity, and is needed on a daily basis. I am convinced that raising the price of water on the scheduled date is a decree that the the poor sectors of society will not be able to cope with."

Herzog, who wants to immediately postpone the price increase, has been working for several months to change the decision made by the Minister of Infrastructure and the National Water Authority. A few weeks ago, he even approached the Prime Minister, asking to hold an emergency meeting on the matter. Herzog claimed that the decision to increase the price of water was made without consulting with the Ministry of Welfare or the National Insurance Institute, in order to understand the possible ramifications of such a decision, in terms of the poor sectors of Israeli society.

After speaking with the Prime Minister, Minister Herzog. the Director General of the Welfare Ministry, and the Director General of the Natoinal Insurance Institution met with the Director of the National Water Authority, Professor Uri Shani, and his staff, in order to discuss the affects a reform in water prices would have on Israeli households.

Herzog presented the findings of two studies conducted by the National Insurance Institute. The studies concluded that the expected increase in water rates will be an unbearable burden for the poorest tenth percentile of the population. A simulation that was enacted by the NII found that the price of water will increase by 40% in 2010, and that will subsequently increase by one third the number of poor families and individuals in Israel.

Herzog suggested changing the way the water rates are calculated, so that the basic rate will be lower than the rate that appears in the reform, but that the rates for excessive water use be significantly raised. The goal is to make it possible for every household to allow itself normal water consumption.

"Water is a basic commodity, and is needed on a daily basis. I am convinced that raising the price of water on the scheduled date is a decree that the poor sectors of society will not be able to cope with," said Herzog. "The data provided by the National Insurance Institute only strengthens my prediction that the decision will increase poverty in Israel, and cause financial crises for many families, senior citizens, and other poor individuals. My proposal is fair, and more just from a social perspective, as it determines the water rate according to the number of people living in a household. However, in the case of excess water consumption, the price will rise significantly. Each family will be able to make an independent decision regarding the extent of their water use."