EU Parliament supports Jewish property restitution
Efforts by the World Jewish Restitution Organization received significant support this week from the president of the European Parliament and the British government for fully endorsing the return of property stolen from Jewish victims during the Holocaust and World War II.
President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz announced his full support, saying, "I am fully committed to raising awareness of the Holocaust and atrocities committed against the Jewish people in Europe," he said. Schulz also added that he fully supports the implementation of decisions by the European Parliament regarding the return of stolen property.
Schulz expressed his support in a letter to MEP Gunnar Hökmark, chair of the European Alliance for Holocaust Survivors.
Baroness Joyce Anelay of St. Johns of the British Foreign Ministry announced that the British government is determined to push Poland and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe to take care of aging Holocaust survivors.
"This government places great importance to the support of families tragically affected by the Holocaust—including the important issue of restitution," Anelay wrote in a letter to the WJRO and the Chief Executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Gillian Merron, who urged the British government to increase restitution efforts.
Gideon Taylor, Chief of Operations at the World Jewish Restitution Organization, said, "This is a big step that will allow us to justly and compassionately see to the well-being of aging Holocaust survivors and returning stolen property."
