Australian victims of the Israeli Maccabiah footbridge collapse, at the opening of the so-called Jewish Olympics in 1997, will soon receive the final payment of their $26 million compensation.

The Haifa District Court in Israel ruled last week that Phoenix Insurance Company – the insurer for games organiser Maccabi World Union – must forward the remaining $575,000 to the Australian victims and their families within 30 days.

After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing, Phoenix was left to pay the majority of the claim, with the Israeli Government contributing one-third of the payout.

Four Australians were killed and more than 60 people were injured after a footbridge over the heavily polluted Yarkon River collapsed while they were on their way to the opening ceremony of the games.