new immigrant benefits being slashed for the wealthy

The Ministry of finance is recommending in its new budget proposal that potential new immigrants who would be considered wealthy, defined as owning assets north of half a million shekels in value would not get the financial benefits/incentives of aliya that all immigrants are meant to get. At the other end, they also propose increasing the basket of benefits by 10% for those who do qualify.

It seems they think that they are spending money on bringing people to Israel who do not need that money or assistance.

The Finance Ministry expects to save 100 million shekel in the Ministry of Absorption from this move. along with another 30 million shekels in the Ministry of Housing.
source: Ynet

good? bad? I don't know.

I do hope they studied the matter thoroughly and have concluded that canceling these benefits will not have an adverse effect among people who are considering aliyah.

I also hope that the number, 500,000nis, takes into account actual wealth and not just assets held - houses and cars not yet sold might push someone over the maximum to get benefits, but that does not mean the candidate is wealthy, especially if mortgages and financing are not taken into account. And then there is student debt, and other debt that should be taken into account, even if the potential immigrant has assets and a good job.

I can understand not spending a lot of money to help people who do not need to be helped, but they have to make sure they are not turning them away in the process, and that the definition of "wealth" being used is realistic so that people who do not help won't be turned away.

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