MANILA – The government of Israel is honoring the memory of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were slain due to the attacks from Hamas.
This is confirmed by the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, after it’s envoy to Manila Ilan Fluss attended the arrival of the ashes of Filipino caregiver Grace Cabrera on Monday, saying the OFW is “a hero for dedicating her life serving and protecting her Israeli employer.”
According to the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, Cabrera and her 96 year old employer Aviva Sela were killed when Hamas terrorists stormed into Kibbutz Beeri and murdered many members of the community.
Fluss relayed his condolences and sympathy to the family of Cabrera and said that she will be joining the big Israeli family of “Victims of Terror” together with 1,400 others that have died during the attacks last October 7.
"My sincerest condolences and sympathy to the family of Grace. At the same time, I would like to thank her for dedicating her life serving and protecting her Israeli employer. Israelis consider all the OFWs who were murdered by Hamas as heroes. They are now forever part of our family,” Ambassador Fluss said.
According to Israeli law, victims of Hostile Acts are entitled to benefits under the Law on Compensation for Victim of Hostile Act (1970), which states that “in order for The National Insurance Institute to recognize a person as a victim of hostilities, the person must meet the conditions dictated by law.”
The Department for Hostile Action Casualties, together with the Department for Rehabilitation at the National Insurance Institute of Israel are responsible for family member benefits for victims of hostile acts.
The Embassy said that in order for the bereaved family to receive compensation and benefits, they must submit a “claim for compensation for the family of a victim of a Hostile Act” within 12 months from the day of the Hostile Act. However, a claim that is submitted late will be approved for a retroactive period of 12 months from the date of submission.
Other entitlements are as follows, as provided to DZRH by the Embassy of Israel in Manila and the National Insurance Institute – The Department for Hostile Action Casualties:
A Grant for Coverage of Mourning Expenses in the sum of 8,034 NIS (PHP 116.881.78) as of October 2023. The bereaved parents and the widow or widower are eligible for this grant.
Widowhood Grant entitles the spouse of the victim (widow, widower, or common law partner) to a special grant for the financing of special needs in the sum of 5,770 NIS (PHP 83,936.93) as of January 2023. The grant is paid once the event has been confirmed as a hostile action by the branch of the National Insurance Institute nearest the place of residence. Afterward, the grant is paid to the widow or widower once every seven (7) years.
Participation in Burial Expenses is a grant covering burial expenses, such as obituary notice, funeral and gravestone. For a victim buried aboard, a return of burial expenses will be paid against receipts. Maximum refund is in the sum of USD 1,300 or PHP 72,793.50 .
A Special Recuperation Grant after the hostile act is automatically paid with the third monthly reward and eligible for this grant are the bereaved parents and the widow or widower.
A Grant for The Maintenance of The Victim’s Grave is paid once in every five (5) years to the victim’s spouse or orphans. If there are no orphans, the grant will be paid to the victim’s parents and if there is no parent entitled, the grant will be paid to one of the victim’s siblings (upon a joint declaration). The current rate for the grant is 3,603 NIS or PHP 52,395.50.
In the same document, monthly compensation are also given to the family of the deceased such as monthly payments for the Widow, Widower or common law partner, with an amount of 9,624.94 NIS or PHP 139,860 as of January 2023.
Parents are entitled to monthly compensation in the sum of 8,449.79 NIS or PHP 122,822.76 as of January 2023 while a single parent receives 80 percent of the compensation paid for a couple.
Annual grants consist of an Annual Convalescence Grant, Memorial Grant, and other entitlements such as Mental or Psychological Assistance, Marriage Grant for Orphans, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Grant for Orphans, and Participation in Tuition Fees and Extra-Curricular Activities.
According to the United Nations Victims of Terrorism Support Portal, history has shown that Israel has not known “a single day free from terrorism and the threat of terrorism” and out of necessity have established a “longstanding practice of experts in the field of counterterrorism, extending also the way of assisting victims of terror”.
In a statement, Ambassador Fluss said that “Israelis consider all the OFWs who were murdered by Hamas as heroes. They are now forever part of our family.”
