The weekend newspapers on sale today outside a shop near Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda shuk.
Hebrew, English, French, and one paper (I'm quite sure) in Thai language.
Thousands of citizens from Thailand are employed in Israel, mostly as agricultural workers.
Sad to say, one Thai man died yesterday while working in a greenhouse in Moshav Netiv Ha'asara. The Kassam that killed him was one of five rockets fired from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel within the last 24 hours..
His name has not yet been released. I would like to be able to call him by name. Instead we keep hearing the generic "a Thai worker. . . ."
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His body will be returned to his family who live "in the provinces" somewhere in Thailand.
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His relatives are entitled to receive compensation benefits from Bituach Leumi (our Social Security administration) under Benefits for Victims of Hostilities Law, 1970.
The webpage about this is quite interesting.
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In legal language,
"A hostilities-related injury is a direct result of hostilities perpetrated by enemy forces, or an injury caused as a result of, or in connection with, hostilities (an injury sustained under circumstances that are reasonably presumed to be the result of hostilities, or an injury from a weapon that was intended to be used for hostilities by enemy forces, or to prevent such an action), or an injury resulting from an act of violence whose purpose was to harm people because of their national, ethnic origin, provided that it arises from the Israeli-Arab conflict or was committed by a terrorist organization."
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The Color Red siren sounded when the rocket was fired. I wish this young man had taken it seriously and had run for cover to the concrete shelters of the community.
The alert gives you 20 seconds of warning, that's all.
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Twenty-seconds isn't much warning!
ReplyDeleteSo sad to read this news, Dina.
ReplyDeleteThe organization to compensate his family has nothing equivalent here, in France.
I have also read somewhere that Israelian State help financially foreigner people and their descendants("les justes" for french people)who provided help to jews during WWII.
I thought it was a so grateful attention.
May his memory be for a blessing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a poignant post, and one filled with sadness.
ReplyDeleteThe legalities are very interesting, and thanks for pointing us to the link.
It is unfortunate when a worker dies anywhere, especially one that has left his country to help his family have a better life. I am not at all surprised by Israeli Law with regards to workers killed under these circumstances. The Torah speaks to fairness when it comes to taking care of people.
ReplyDeleteI've just heard warnining sireens in movies; it's hard for me to imagine what it's like other then ficcion...
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you've got so much danger in your area. Stay safe, please.
ReplyDeleteI only heard sirens on Yom Hazikaron, but I am not sure they were the real ones...
ReplyDeleteChuck, but 20 seconds is a big improvement. It does save lives.
ReplyDeleteCatherine shalom. Yes, many of the Righteous of the Nations (Chasidei HaUmot) who saved Jews during the WW II now live in Israel. They are old now. They receive a monthly allowance from the State. Not a lot, but something. Well, my old age pension from Bituach Leumi (Social Security) is not enough to live on either. But if the government makes any trouble with this money to the Righteous Gentiles, there is a big public outcry, media and protests.
Thank you, Suzanne.
Jew Wishes, thanks for looking at the links.
Moneythoughts, you're right. It is only fair. Unfortunately, the private contractors who bring over so many foreign workers are not so fair. The laborers work hard and long.
Kay, don't worry. My area is not a rocket target area.
JM and VP, the sirens for the minute of silence are the same as for real air raids. For either purpose, the sound is blood-curdling IMHO.
During the first Gulf War we lived extremely close to the school that had the siren on its roof. I will never forget those nights of sirens and Scud missiles. The worst month and a half of my life.