Only until December 4: how to apply for burial refund for repatriates

Until December 4, 2026, repatriates from the former USSR can apply for compensation under a class action lawsuit against the Hevra Kadisha burial society for discrimination in burials at the Petah Tikva cemetery. The court ordered a payout of 8.7 million shekels.

Until December 4, 2026, repatriates from the former USSR can apply for compensation under a class action lawsuit against the Hevra Kadisha burial society. The court found that from 2009 to 2017, the society discriminated against repatriates by burying them in separate sections of the Petah Tikva cemetery and ordered a payout of 8.7 million shekels. Families whose relatives were buried in such sections are entitled to compensation — at least 2,300 shekels per family, according to preliminary estimates. The lawsuit was filed by the law firm Gil Ron, Keinan & Partners together with the class action clinic of Tel Aviv University. Court-appointed trustee Marina Kigel explained the application procedure: via the law firm's website, by phone, WhatsApp, or email. The article also notes that the court ruling confirmed that the cemetery is a public place subject to anti-discrimination law.