Israel approves Holocaust allowances

JERUSALEM, July 30 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert approved a plan Monday to pay government allowances to the country's 120,000 elderly Holocaust survivors.

Olmert approved the plan -- developed by a committee headed by Welfare Minister Isaac Herzog -- to pay millions of dollars to Holocaust survivors over age 70 living in Israel, Ynetnews reported Monday.

"We have fixed an injustice that lasted for 60 years. Holocaust survivors living in Israel are entitled to live in dignity instead of being unable to afford a warm meal," Olmert said in approving the budget, which starts at $30 million next year and will grow to $70 million in 2010.

In addition to the new government allowances, survivors will continue to collect state pensions and other social benefits.