Vilnious – Lithuania Won’t Repay Full Value of Jewish Properties’ Seized at World War II

Vilnious, Lithuania – Lithuania will not amend a plan to compensate the loss of Jewish property seized during World War II, despite criticism from Jewish organizations that it fails to repay the properties’ full value, the Baltic state’s justice minister said Tuesday.

“It is very hard, if not impossible, to restore all property rights after more than half a century, a war and two occupations,” the minister, Remigijus Simasius, told The Associated Press.

“Most of the Jewish population was killed, their ancestors scattered around the world, and many properties do not have legitimate owners,” he said, referring to buildings that were once owned by Jews but were not inherited by relatives because of the war.

According to the ministry’s plan, which still needs parliamentary approval, Lithuania will pay 128 million litas (euro37 million, $53 million) to Lithuania’s 5,000-strong Jewish community. Part of the payment will include the return of two buildings, though most of compensation will comprise cash payments.

Negotiations on the compensation package lasted nearly a decade. Payments are expected to begin in 2011 with 3 million litas ($1.2 million) to be paid to Holocaust survivors, and compensation for stolen property to begin in 2012. A non-governmental organization will be established to distribute the funds over several years.

The local Jewish community has rejected the proposal as too small, saying it represents a “mere fraction” of the value of Jewish property seized in World War II.

“Jewish communal property has to be returned, just like this was done with property of other communities, including the Catholic Church,” said Simon Gurevichius, executive director of the Jewish Community of Lithuania. “The present plan is insufficient and unacceptable.”

The minister emphasized that the offer would not be reconsidered. He said Lithuania completed its program of property restitution in 2000, and that the government would not reopen it. “There will be no additional restitution process,” he said.
Parliament is expected to review the proposal this fall.

Some 95 percent of Lithuania’s prewar Jewish population of 220,000 people was killed by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. Jewish properties were seized and never returned.

After it was taken over by the Soviet Union in 1940, Lithuania was invaded by Nazi Germany in 1941, and then again by the Soviets in 1944. The Baltic state remained under Soviet occupation until 1991.