Starting in 2025, the municipal property tax (arnona) discount criterion will be abolished; food stamps will be distributed according to professional criteria established by the National Food Security Council
At the hearing held toda – 9 December 2024, at the Supreme Court on the petition of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel against the Ministry of the Interior’s policy of distributing food stamps, significant progress was made in the fight to ensure an equitable and fair distribution of food stamps. State representatives announced that starting in 2025, the responsibility for distributing food stamps will be transferred to the welfare ministry, canceling the municipal property tax (arnona) discount criterion that was used until now. The state representatives also announced that in 2024 the distribution of food stamps will be significantly expanded to those in need, including single mothers, Holocaust survivors and income support recipients. The judges expressed understanding of the Movement for Quality Government’s position regarding the problematic use of the arnona discount criterion, and noted that the ruling will reflect the fundamental change in the state’s position.
The move to the Ministry of Welfare is expected to ensure that the distribution of food stamps will be carried out fairly, according to criteria determined by the National Council for Food Security. This change constitutes a significant victory in the campaign to ensure a fair distribution of the state’s resources those in need.
Adv Uri Hess, economic department at the Movement for Quality Government in Israel: “Today’s court decision puts an end to the distortion created by the Ministry of the Interior – distributing food stamps according to a political decision and not to those who really needed them This decision will extend the distribution of food stamps to groups that were previously excluded, and guarantees that the stamps will be given to those who really need them. We thank the court for the decision, and are confident that justice will be done for disadvantaged populations in the country.”
