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Shoah survivors forced back to Germany due to Israel's lack of restitution laws
Ines Ehrlich
Published: 16.04.07, 11:32
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1. How to collect the benefits due
Observer ,   Israel   (04.16.07)
Move to a former Soviet state, renounce your Judaism, develop a drinking problem, then return. You will receive the red carpet treatment.
2. survivors
zichron   (04.16.07)
israel is much poorer than western jewry which has great wealth . israel is stressed by buildind anti-missile defense and maintaining armed defense of the jews in their small land . nevertheless its a disgrace that these survivors are not held holy holy to israel and the world
3. Regretable Disgrace
Reuven Brauner ,   Raanana, Israel   (04.16.07)
The State of Israel, its banks and other institutions are to be ashamed for mismanaging this issue over the years. In typical socialist fashion, monies were gathered by the State for "equitable" redistribution to the needy and survivors but were, in reality, used for other purposes. In other countries, survivors receive restitution funds directly. Directly. We are still suffering from the unjust bureaucracy created by the founders of this country.
4. Our Political Elite
Terry ,   Eilat, Israel   (04.16.07)
I hesitated before using the word "elite" - I just don't know another word in English. Anyway, whatever you want to call them - they are self-centered , self-interested, political hacks. Our system has no accountability, rewards doing very little, & encourages irresponsible behavior. Let's say, we don't have the highest quality people in politics. The shabby treatment of Holocaust survivors is just one example out of many. This is not a right wing issue nor a left wing issue nor even a religious party issue. Where is Meretz & Labour? Meretz cares about Palestine & Arabs more than Israelis. Labour cares about Arab votes & union members who have the highest salaries in the country. The religious parties only care about sucking money out of the budget. Kadima only cares about staying in office at any price - wouldn't want to lose those cushy jobs. On the right, we have a lot of fire & brimstone speeches, mostly hot air with no substance. Holocaust survivors are always a good subject for a speech but they are few in number, don't contribute money to political campaigns, & are now old and sick . In other words, they can be neglected with no political consequences.
5. One word, Shame
Don Saliman ,   Nahal Oz, Israel   (04.16.07)
6. survivors
colin ,   israel   (04.16.07)
ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL. UNFORTUNATELY NO WORDS CAN DISCRIBE THE ACTIONS OF THE iSRAELI GOVERNMENT.oF COURSE THIS PRESENT CORRUPT SINFUL DEN OF THIEVES ARE MAYBE THE WORST.Many words are sprouted by the politicians whom live in palaces that the survivors will be cared for but on the ground just a lot of lies.Germany must stop giving these vultures any more money and distribute the funds themselves to those that deserve the help.
7. Shame on us!
Elie ,   Beit Shemesh, Israel   (04.16.07)
What a horrible stain on our country. It is an abonimable disgrace. I am deeply ashamed. This should be the number one priority of our government.
8. To # 2
arielush ,   Ramat Ha Golan   (04.16.07)
You're right. Israel is much poorer than the other Western Countries. But we do find the money to help other countries in time of trouble. When there is a natural disaster we always find the wherewithal to send manpower and money. But what about our own? How can we send help abroad, when our own people do without food, medicine and electricity.
9. Holocaust survivors living in poverty
Yentel ,   Israel   (04.16.07)
It is a national crime to allow these poor souls to live like that, release the funds owed to them. There are many people living in poverty here as well,adults and children,the government must help all those who are in need and stop relying on outside charities to do their work! There is no excuse for anybody in this country go not have a warm bed to sleep in or a full stomach, and health care, it is a fundamental human right listed in the charter of the League of Nations which was athe predicessor to todays UN!
10. Holocaust survivors
yosef ,   fr   (04.16.07)
no point complaying against our leaders, better still what not trying to help ours ouselves?! Nowedays, we can forster kids, families etc... etc... why not fortering them? problem is how to go about it!!!
11. Appalling indictment of our country
Baruch Nili ,   Jerusalem,Israel   (04.16.07)
What an indictment of our country and the terrible selfishness that has created these circumstances. Perhaps after all, not just the US holocaust industry but our own hypocrisy has come back to bite us. We promote the image of the nation which suffered; we use the holocaust as our emblem as powerful as our flag and our anthem; VIPs are taken to Yad Vashem as an essential part of our message as a people. We educate our children and the world about the holocaust, venerate its victims and yearly stand for a minute's silence for all who perished in it. But the country about which a speaker at Yad Vashem yesterday said is still stained by the holocaust, indeed the very country which initiated the entire process - Germany - takes better care of the survivors than we do. When will we begin to put right so many of the ills that beset us?
12. Poor Survivors
Marcel Abel ,   France   (04.16.07)
I did not know that about 80 000 survivors only survive in Israel. Shocking ! Who, in Israel, is responsible of treating so badly those who have suffered beyond imagination. Should they not receive the best ? A certain number returned to Germany where they are given more attention and better living. Germany knows her past crimes and therefore tries to repair, clearly knowing irreparable has been committed. Israel's institutions and flourishing banks, what have you done to alleviate their sufferings , to lighten their yoke, to help them across so painful, hard times. They are your living memory and honour them once a year, do you think it's enough ? I personally know what it is to live with less than 800 euros a month. But some Survivors do not receive half this "sum". Israel, Israel, are you fulfilling your obligation towards poor, so poor, old people who cannot survive in a context where thieves and vultures live in palaces. Israel, Israel.
13. Survivors
M. Hartley ,   Atlanta, US   (04.16.07)
I usually don't comment on Israel's internal politics, because they are none of my business. What's going on with the holocaust survivors is, however, an unforgivable shame. There seems to be more outcry over desecrated cemeteries than over the way these poor people have to make it from day to day. I don't belong to any religion, but I do believe in right and wrong, and this situation is WRONG! For any Jew to have to go back to the origins of his torment with hat in hand or because he/she can live his last years there in more dignity than in his/her homeland is simply unconsciable. For this one, shame on Israel!
14. What an utter disgrace!!
Saul Berliner ,   NY   (04.16.07)
Israel was supposed to be a place of refuge for Jews. Now, look what it has come to. Jews have to go to Germany, of all places, to find comfort. The world is laughing at this failing state called "Israel."
15. No 3
(04.16.07)
I did not want to sully any further this whole terrible affair by entering into the 'local' politics of it. But if you happily indict the 'socialists', you should also indict the right and especially Menachem Begin who abused the matter of German compensation payments for political gain, but whose regular rhetorical references to the deaths of his own parents in Poland were actually admissions of his own guilt for having absconded from his home and not defending them or trying to save them.
16. Corrupt bureaucracy at work!!!
DR ,   Florida, USA   (04.16.07)
17. 250K Survivors my foot..Lots of Russian wannabees amongst
Al   (04.16.07)
them..... Lets call it for what it is. Its the friggin Shoah business same for these documentaries. My parents who lived thru it and survived to work and build religious Jewish lives always said that the holocaust business was custom made for the "schnorrers" in order to collect monies not owned to them. Those who saved and built lives for themselves did not leave this earth penniless. My dad didn't. He worked and worked and made sure that his grave was paid for in full. He did the right thing. He would never ever go back to a Germany. He would never ever buy a German product. He cursed them till his last day. Its time we Jews got out of the bloody Shoah business. Stood on our own two friggin feet and learn to be a nation. Should we not do that we will be relegated to the eternal junkyard of history to be hounded, killed and denied our due.
18. Orly and Guy should be commended for thier work!
Concerned Israeli ,   Israel   (04.16.07)
19. Reuven in comfortable Raanana
Baruch Nili ,   Jerusalem,Israel   (04.16.07)
I hadn't wanted to sully this whole terrible affair any further with 'local' politics. But as you have indicted the 'socialists' let's not forget the right. Menachem used German reparations payments as a political weapon, did nothing to improve the plight of survivors in Israel and his regular rhetoric about his parents was little more than crude admissions of his own guilt at having absconded from Poland and not defending them or trying to save them.
20. Vile dispicable evil government and everyone involved here
Israel   (04.16.07)
in this. Well done to Orly Vilnai Federbush and Guy Meroz for their persistence. I need to move the hell out of this country. I cannot and do not want to live in a country like this. It's making me sick.
21. correction
Baruch Nili ,   Jerusalem Israel   (04.16.07)
I hadn't wanted to sully this whole terrible affair any further with 'local' politics. But as you have indicted the 'socialists' let's not forget the right. Menachem Begin used German reparations payments as a political weapon, did nothing to improve the plight of survivors in Israel and his regular rhetoric about his parents was little more than crude admissions of his own guilt at having absconded from Poland and not defending them or trying to save them.
22. Nothing new.
efi g ,   Washington DC   (04.16.07)
Thats how it is guys. Israel is still a development country and it will take a long time for normalcy to take over.
23. Petition - go in and sign it
Talula ,   Israel   (04.16.07)
http://www.kavud.info/
24. What can I do to help?
marc ,   tel aviv, Israel   (04.16.07)
Inspired by my grandparents' holocaust suffering, I moved to Israel. It hurt me deeply to watch the documentary last night. I would like to help. Unfortunately, there are no links, phone numbers, or addresses to contact. I am willing to donate time and money to help. Please direct me.
25. Shoah survivors
Henry Weil ,   Jersualem   (04.16.07)
Not surprising its the direct outcome of a corrupt and ineffcient political system, which is responsible for the unadmissable situation of those who suffered in the worst manner. The scandal, is all the more glaring in light of the fact that the current finance Minister Hirschson, was a founder of the March of the Living. If just for this he should resgien . The silence of the Rabbinical leaders such as Rav Ovadia, Elyashiv, as well as the messianic ones, who believe that ''Land and Terretorries, are above all.They should ponder that Man was built in the Image of G-D,not land. The beuractric excuses are not valid, and funds are abundant its the political will that lacks, Shame seems to have no boundaries in Israel Today, its time to act urgently without delay.
26. Let The Elites go to North Pole...
Atilla Karagözoğlu ,   The South   (04.16.07)
....The Rest are the beauty of world.
27. Where are the Rabbis?
David ,   New York   (04.16.07)
Oh I forgot. The Holocaust was a punishment from God, so they can keep focussing on the real issues of the day, like whether a German can rent an apartment to a Jew. Oops, I mean whether a Jew can rent an apartment to an Arab.
28. a ruthless country
JL ,   israel   (04.16.07)
i have lived in israel for 30 years...served in its army...paid taxes...i got sick..i couldnt work...i am stonewalled by every goverment body...i now realize i threw my life away for a country that so openly does not give a damn for its citizens...the oinly ones who count here are its rich
29. survivors and money
(04.16.07)
Why in the world does Israel do this kind of stuff to her own people? It doesnt make any sense. To tell you all the truth, If I had been a survivor and could not get any help from Israel, I too, would return to Germany to demand reparations and make the german government kiss my arse in every way possible. In fact, perhaps all the survivors should consider returning to germany to do this and leave Israel, thereby making Israel accountable for stealing money owed to the victims. what a sad and tragic story. The victims are being re-victimized again now by their own people and land that was supposed to help them. How does this country account for this kind of behavior towards the ones who this land was supposed to be established for?
30. David, My Brother !
(04.16.07)
where are The Rabbies ? THE GREATEST QUESTION. WHEN THERE IS NO REAL RABBI AROUND ! we become the ones. ONCE UPON A TIME, WE WERE IN AMERICA, 3 GUYS. THEY WANTED PRAY. THE TWO WERE RELIGIOUS GUYS FROM MY RELIGION. YOU KNOW, YOU ARE FAR FROM YOUR LAND. ANYWAY, I SAID I KNOW VERY LTTLE. THEY WERE TOO SCARE TO BE THE FIRST MAN TO MAKE THE PRAY. I TOLD THEM. GO BEHIND ME. I WILL BE THE HEAD OF THIS PRAY. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME AND LAST TIME I WAS THE IMAM. now, lets be THE RABBIES OF MIDDLE EAST IF THEY ARE TOO AFRAID TO BE. but, you got to teach me some : David you okey man. I read you somethimes. Atilla Karagözoğlu
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