The Education, Culture and Sports Committee, chaired by MK Yosef Taieb (Shas), voted on Tuesday to approve for second and third readings the Day of Appreciation for Those Wounded in Israel’s Wars and in Hostile Acts Bill.
In 2014, the Government of Israel decided to declare a national day of appreciation for those wounded in Israel’s wars and in hostile acts. A decade on, and in light of the Swords of Iron war, which has expanded the circle of wounded, Members of Knesset, led by MK Michael Biton (Blue and White – National Unity Party), are seeking to enshrine this day in law and determine that it will be marked on the 17th of the Hebrew month of Kislev. According to the bill, on this day, the Ministry of Defense will hold a ceremony for wounded IDF soldiers, and the National Insurance Institute will hold a ceremony for those wounded in hostile acts. The day of appreciation will also be marked with a special debate in the Knesset Plenum. The IDF, Israel Police and Israel Prison Service will hold events at the discretion of their respective heads (i.e., the IDF Chief of Staff, Police Commissioner, and Prison Service Commissioner). The Ministry of Heritage will produce content commemorating the heroism and resilience of those wounded in wars and hostile acts, to be used in activities marking the day.
Under the proposal, educational institutions will also hold activities to mark the day of appreciation, at the discretion of the Minister of Education. Committee Chair MK Taieb expressed his objection to this clause, saying the Ministry of Education should be obligated to hold activities honoring those wounded in Israel’s wars and in hostile acts.” Ministry of Education official Racheli Levi said in response: “We already have a large number of commemorative days in the education system. The Ministry fundamentally opposes restricting the discretion of the Minister.” Ministry of Education official Shoshi Spiegel described the current educational activities, which include student visits to wounded individuals, as outlined in a director general’s circular issued after the original government decision a decade ago.
Committee Chair MK Taieb stated: “Victims of hostile acts are not the backyard of the State of Israel. It is our right and duty to honor them. It is unacceptable that they should have to find ways to fund a ceremony in their honor.”
Tzipi Feldman of the Ministry of Defense Rehabilitation Department said, “Until now, the number of disabled IDF veterans and wounded soldiers was around 60,000. That figure is now around 80,000. We estimate that by 2028, there will be 100,000 wounded. There are tens of thousands of people who were injured in hostile acts.”
Ruth Preminger of the National Organization for Victims of Terror in Israel said, “The current budget is insulting and must be changed. It is unacceptable that the National Insurance Institute does not receive a larger budget, equivalent to that of the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization.”
A representative of the National Insurance Institute said, “We accompany some 80,000 victims, and they deserve a dignified ceremony, similar to the one that is held by the Ministry of Defense.”
Idan Kliman, head of the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, expressed his objection to a joint ceremony. “There can be one day of appreciation, but it must include separate activities and ceremonies, because these are separate stories. Victims of hostile acts suffered terrible tragedies just because they were Jews or Israelis. Wounded IDF [soldiers] were hurt during defense and combat operations. I was injured in Khan Yunis 32 years ago — I am not a victim of terror; I am a barrier to terror, and there are tens of thousands like me who were wounded in Israel’s wars, including many who were injured on October 7. These two stories deserve recognition. There is a difference between sacrifice and tragedy, and it must be acknowledged. A joint ceremony blurs the story and changes reality.”
Ministry of Finance representative Eyal Baruch said, “Until now, the government funded a joint ceremony for both groups with a budget of NIS 4 million. If the ministry wants to split the ceremonies, a proportional allocation will be needed, though I cannot estimate it exactly.”
The Finance Ministry estimates that the cost of two separate ceremonies would not exceed NIS 7 million. The legislation approved by the committee states that “The State Treasury shall reimburse the National Insurance Institute, upon its request, for any expenses incurred under this law.”
