Poland’s proposed restitution law ‘excludes vast majority of Holocaust survivors and heirs’
The World Jewish Congress has expressed “profound disappointment” in the Polish government’s proposed legislation for the restitution of confiscated property belong to Holocaust victims and their heirs.
Ronald S. Lauder
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said that while he “strongly welcomed” the principle and importance of such legislation, the actual text proposed by the Polish Ministry of Justice was insufficient and “excluded the vast majority” of survivors and their families.
“We are profoundly disappointed that the Polish government’s proposal excludes the vast majority of Polish Holocaust survivors and their families,” Lauder said in a statement released in his dual capacity as Chairman of the Council of the World Jewish Restitution Organisation, together with WJRO Chair of Operations Gideon Taylor.
“The Polish Holocaust survivors and their families were an integral part of Polish life for centuries. Their property is often their last tangible connection with the life they lived before the destruction of the Holocaust.
“We strongly urge the Polish government to ensure that the legislation, when introduced to the Parliament, will have eligibility criteria and a claims process that are fair and just to those who suffered and lost so much.”
The Ministry of Justice’s proposal contains a number of clauses that would impede full and fair restitution, including the stipulation that any claimants must first secure Polish citizenship, the restriction of claims within a one-year period, and a limit on the circle of heirs eligible to lodge claims to direct linear descendants of the owner.
I too welcome the Polish Restitution Laws.
However, being of Polish Birth & having “inside” knowledge of the Polish Catholic psyche & Open teachings (**) about Jews (even today); similar to other comments above, I would suggest: “Don’t hold your Breath”. I certainly would not make it my life’s goal.
A perfect example of governments creating restitution laws which are not intended to be implemented nor work at all; one ought to see the movie, based on facts: “The Woman in Gold” (based on a real story)
** As to a coulple of Centuries of Catholic teaching; I can vouch from personally witnessing a bizarre & false teaching to HATE Jews (till today!) within a “Secular School” which in Poland were all only Catholic.
As a coulple of examples: 1) Jews (all!) are guilty of Killing Yoske; that is YOU today are guilty of his Murder; never mind it was done by Rome (& THEIR Forefathers); 2) What compounded the Hatred was the denial of disclosing the Facts that he was Born a Jew in a Jewish Land; that is YOU The Jew are Guilty (forever!) for Killing their (“Loving”) God who is & always was a “Christian”.
Therefore, I have no doubt that, there will be more luck in ReEducating the entire Polish Country into what is True, Just & Correct, than obtaining any restitution at all.
I would like to believe that there are may good people in Poland; however, I am sure they are disproportionately outnumbered.
Good Luck on Both ReEducation & Restitution!
Joe Weinstein
No-one in their right mind would believe that an anti-Semitic government would compensate Jews for their suffering, I expect nothing else. It is like everything else stolen from us, the art work and money much of which sits in museums and Swiss banks. For descendants of those who lost everything, they have to find the art and prove it is theirs in a court which they probably can’t afford. But there are lists and markings showing that they are stolen and should be returned.
It won’t happen just like compensating for lost property by a Polish government.
A nation of Roman Catholics it will be interesting to see the influence his friendship with Pope Francis has where justice and rights comes into play.
In other words putting one’s money where their mouth is.