East Jerusalem residents are entitled to all social benefits provided by the National Insurance Institute (NII). As all other Israelis, residents and citizens, only those who live on Israeli soil are eligible. HaMoked received many complaints from Jerusalem Palestinians, reporting that, without prior notice, the NII had removed them from the national health insurance, and stopped payment of various social benefits they were entitled to receive, on the grounds that they did not live in Israel.
A Jerusalem couple received a monthly child benefit for their five children. In early 2008, the NII terminated payment without warning or reason. Subsequently, the family's health insurance was also stopped without warning. The couple contacted HaMoked, which then
filed a claim at the Regional Labor Court.
In it response, the NII acknowledged the couple's residency in Jerusalem, and decided to "grant the claimant all child benefits from of their termination date", and to renew their health insurance.
A Jerusalem mother of five, received income support for many years. In May 2009, the NII informed her by letter that as she was not living in Israel, she would no longer be eligible for income support. Moreover, the revocation was retroactive and she must pay out
63,525 NIS in debt. The woman, who had not changed her residence at all, contacted HaMoked, which then
filed a claim against the NII decisions. Two months later, HaMoked received the
NII's reply, which "respectfully announces it has retracted its decision regarding the revocation of the claimant's residency and her eligibility for income support".
Needless to say, these are but a few examples of the systematic practice of the NII, and we are left to wonder in how many cases, where the residents do not seek legal assistance, does the NII steal the monies off the beneficiaries, depriving them of their social security rights.
