Nazi Germany Theft Victims to be Reimbursed by Belgian Banks, Insurance Companies and State
A Belgian-sponsored commission announced yesterday that its country, banks and insurance companies will pay out $54.5 million to compensate for the theft of possessions from Jews during World War II. Additionally, another $115.5 million has been allocated for a Belgian foundation to honor the victims of the Holocaust and for social, religious and cultural projects for Belgium's Jewish community.
According to a report which was commissioned by the nation's Senate and published last year, during Nazi Germany, the Belgium had been active collaborators in persecuting Jews. Following the report, political leaders were urged political leaders to do more.
The decision by the Belgian state was welcomed by relatives of Holocaust victims, but they also stated that Belgium's responsibility for a policy of discrimination and the deportation of Jews to concentration camps should be looked into to.
"Indemnificating is not all," said Judith Kronfeld, director of the Belgian Judaism Foundation. "We need to find out the responsibilities of some Belgian personalities in the discrimination, persecution . . . and deportation of Jews."
Published on March 13, 2008
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