The Chairman's Statement, Mr. Ze'ev Wolf Factor

Mr. Zeev Factor

Today a larger number of holocaust survivors that live in Israel are in immediate and urgent need of assistance. Unfortunately, this community has been waiting for the last 60 years hoping that their needs be met.

There is nothing more humiliating and serious than the reality which we wake up to every morning. The state of Israel was established following the horrific holocaust, and regarded itself as the solution to the holocaust survivors' problem. Despite the above, the sad reality is that the survivors are finding themselves calling for its help and knocking again and again on its door, having to choose between paying their electricity bill and buying food or medicines

Moreover, "man cannot live on bread alone", a survivor that has lost his family in the holocaust and is over 80 years old in most cases, finds himself lonely, isolated, sad and what is worse, without any response at time of need.

The Center for the Organizations of the Holocaust Survivors and the Foundation for the Benefit of the Holocaust Victims have been trying for years to cope with the situation, aiming to change the shameful reality. Unfortunately today, after countless struggles, success is still small and the needs are growing and intensifying.

All our appeals to the Israeli governments throughout the years were heard, understood and analyzed but we have not yet got any significant results. Unfortunately, the monies needed are still being saved at the expense of those who need them most.

I, as a Jew, a holocaust survivor, living today in the state of Israel, see in the "achievement" of saving the shekels the greatest and most painful loss of those values and beliefs which we as a nation had acquired, since we were given the Ten Commandments.

Therefore, as of now I am asking only one thing for those who deal with the situation: I wish that all of us should keep our health and strength to continue the mission and assist our brothers and sisters, holocaust survivors that live in Israel today, that they may live their lives in dignity, peacefully and at ease, which they deserve more than anything.