Israeli Firms Accused Of Profiting From The Holocaust
JMD Morgan
By Jonathan Cook
25 June, 2009
Nazareth: Israel�s second largest bank will be forced to defend itself
in court in the coming weeks over claims it is withholding tens of
millions of dollars in �lost� accounts belonging to Jews who died in the
Nazi death camps.
Bank Leumi has denied it holds any such funds despite a parliamentary
committee revealing in 2004 that the bank owes at least $75 million to
the families of several thousand Holocaust victims.
Analysts said the bank�s role is only the tip of an iceberg in which
Israeli companies and state bodies could be found to have withheld
billions of dollars invested by Holocaust victims in the country --
dwarfing the high-profile reparations payouts from such European
countries as Switzerland.
�All I want is justice,� said David Hillinger, 73, whose grandfather,
Aaron, died in Auschwitz, a Nazi camp in Poland. Lawyers are demanding
reparations of $100,000 for Bank Leumi accounts held by his father and
grandfather.
The allegations against Bank Leumi surfaced more than a decade ago
following research by Yossi Katz, an Israeli historian.
He uncovered bank correspondence in the immediate wake of the Second
World War in which it cited �commercial secrecy� as grounds for refusing
to divulge the names of account holders who had been killed in the
Holocaust.
�I was shocked,� said Dr Katz, from Bar Ilan University near Tel Aviv.
�My first reaction was: �My God, this isn�t Switzerland!� �
In 1998, following widespread censure, Swiss banks agreed to pay $1.25
billion in reparations after they there were accused of having profited
from the dormant accounts of Holocaust victims.
Dr Katz�s revelations led to the establishment of a parliamentary
committee in 2000 to investigate the behaviour of Israel�s banks. Its
report came to light belatedly in 2004 after Bank Leumi put pressure on
the government to prevent publication.
Investigators found thousands of dormant accounts belonging to Holocaust
victims in several banks, though the lion�s share were located at Bank
Leumi. Obstructions from Leumi meant many other account holders had
probably not been identified, the investigators warned.
The parliamentary committee originally estimated the accounts it had
located to be worth more than $160m, using the valuation formula applied
to the Swiss banks. But under pressure from Leumi and the government, it
later reduced the figure by more than half.
A restitution company was created in 2006 to search for account holders
and return the assets to their families.
Meital Noy, a spokeswoman for the company, said it had been forced to
begin legal proceedings this week after Bank Leumi had continued to
claim that its findings were �baseless�.
The bank paid $5m two years ago in what it says was a �goodwill
gesture�. Ms Noy called the payment �a joke�. She said 3,500 families,
most of them in Israel, were seeking reparations from Bank Leumi.
The bank was further embarrassed by revelations in 2007 that one per
cent of its shares -- worth about $80 million -- belonged to tens of
thousands of Jews killed during the Holocaust.
Mr Hillinger, who was born in Belgium in 1936 and spent the Second Wold
War hiding in southern France, today lives in Petah Tikva in central Israel.
He said before the outbreak of war his father and grandfather had
invested money in the Anglo-Palestine Bank, the forerunner of Leumi, in
the hope it would gain them a visa to what was then British-ruled Palestine.
Although his parents escaped the death camps, his grandparents were sent
to Auschwitz and died in the gas chambers shortly after arrival.
Mr Hillinger said he had only learnt of the outstanding debt from Bank
Leumi after his father, Moses, died in 1996. Papers showed the bank had
paid his father �a pittance� in 1952 when he closed his account and that
it had never returned his grandfather�s money.
When he wrote to Bank Leumi in 1998, it denied his grandfather had ever
opened an account.
�My grandfather died because he was a Jew, and it is shameful that other
Jews are exploiting his death,� he said. �We need to wake people up
about this.�
A quarter of a million Holocaust survivors are reported to be in Israel,
with one-third of them living in poverty, according to welfare
organisations.
Shraga Elam, an Israeli investigative financial journalist based in
Zurich, said after the war many Israelis showed little sympathy for the
European Jewish refugees who arrived in Israel.
�David Ben Gurion [Israel�s first prime minister] notoriously called
them �human dust�, and I remember as children we referred to them as
sabonim, the Hebrew word for soap,� he said, in reference to the
rumoured Nazi practice of making soap from Jewish corpses.
�In fact, I can�t think of any place in the world where [Holocaust]
survivors are as badly treated as they are in Israel,� Mr Elam said.
He said Bank Leumi�s �lost� accounts were only a small fraction of
Holocaust assets held by Israeli companies and the Israeli state that
should have been returned. The total could be as much as $20bn.
He said European Jews had invested heavily in Palestine in the pre-war
years, buying land, shares and insurance policies and opening bank
accounts. During the Second World War Britain seized most of these
assets as enemy property because the owners were living in Nazi-occupied
lands.
In 1950 Britain repaid some $1.4 million to the new state of Israel,
which was supposed to make reparations to the original owners.
However, little effort was made to trace them or, in the case of those
who died in the Holocaust, their heirs. Instead the Israeli government
is believed to have used the funds to settle new immigrants in Israel.
�These are huge assets, including real estate in some of the most
desirable parts of Israel,� Mr Elam said.
Last year the Israeli media reported an investigation showing that the
finance ministry destroyed its real estate files in the 1950s,
apparently to conceal the extent of the state�s holding of Holocaust assets.
The case against Bank Leumi may end the generally muted criticism inside
Israel of the banks� role. Officials and even the families themselves
have been concerned about the damage the case might do to Israel�s image
as the guardian of Jewish interests.
In 2003 Ram Caspi, Bank Leumi�s lawyer, used such an argument before the
parliamentary committee, warning its members that the US media �will say
the Israeli banks also hide money, not just the Swiss�.
Organisations that led the campaign for reparations from European banks,
such as the Jewish Claims Conference and the World Jewish Restitution
Organisation, have also downplayed the role of the Israeli banks.
Jonathan Cook is a writer and journalist based in Nazareth, Israel. His
latest books are �Israel and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and
the Plan to Remake the Middle East� (Pluto Press) and �Disappearing
Palestine: Israel's Experiments in Human Despair� (Zed Books). His
website is www.jkcook.net.
A version of this article originally appeared in The National
(www.thenational.ae), published in Abu Dhabi.
Nebulous
"JMD Morgan" <John...@email.non> wrote in message
news:daSdnVDQduDIYdvX...@giganews.com...
The Death Of Prince Leopold
ALAS! noble Prince Leopold, he is dead!
Who often has his lustre shed:
Especially by singing for the benefit of Esher School,
Which proves he was a wise prince. and no conceited fool.
Methinks I see him on the platform singing the Sands o' Dee,
The generous-hearted Leopold, the good and the free,
Who was manly in his actions, and beloved by his mother;
And in all the family she hasn't got such another.
He was of a delicate constitution all his life,
And he was his mother's favourite, and very kind to his wife,
And he had also a particular liking for his child,
And in his behaviour he was very mild.
Oh! noble-hearted Leopold, most beautiful to see,
Who was wont to fill your audience's hearts with glee,
With your charming songs, and lectures against strong drink:
Britain had nothing else to fear, as far as you could think
A wise prince you were, and well worthy of the name,
And to write in praise of thee I cannot refrain;
Because you were ever ready to defend that which is right,
Both pleasing and righteous in God's eye-sight.
And for the loss of such a prince the people will mourn,
But, alas! unto them he can never more return,
Because sorrow never could revive the dead again,
Therefore to weep for him is all in vain.
'Twas on Saturday the 12th of April, in the year 1884,
He was buried in the royal vault, never to rise more
Until the great and fearful judgment-day,
When the last trump shall sound to summon him away.
When the Duchess of Albany arrived she drove through the Royal Arch,--
A little before the Seaforth Highlanders set out on the funeral march;
And she was received with every sympathetic respect,
Which none of the people present seem'd to neglect.
Then she entered the memorial chapel and stayed a short time,
And as she viewed her husband's remains it was really sublime,
While her tears fell fast on the coffin lid without delay,
Then she took one last fond look, and hurried away.
At half-past ten o'clock the Seaforth Highlanders did appear,
And every man in the detachment his medals did wear;
And they carried their side-arms by their side,
With mournful looks, but full of love and pride.
Then came the Coldstream Guards headed by their band,
Which made the scene appear imposing and grand;
Then the musicians drew up in front of the guardroom
And waited patiently to see the prince laid in the royal tomb.
First in the procession were the servants of His late Royal Highness,
And next came the servants of the Queen in deep mourning dress,
And the gentlemen of his household in deep distress,
Also General Du Pla, who accompanied the remains from Cannes.
The coffin was borne by eight Highlanders of his own regiment,
And the fellows seemed to be rather discontent
For the loss of the prince they loved most dear,
While adown their cheeks stole many a silent tear
Then behind the corpse came the Prince of Wales in field marshal uniform,
Looking very pale, dejected, careworn, and forlorn;
Then followed great magnates, all dressed in uniform,
And last, but not least, the noble Marquis of Lorne.
The scene in George's Chapel was most magnificent to behold,
The banners of the knights of the garter embroidered with gold;
Then again it was most touching and lovely to see
The Seaforth Highlanders' inscription to the Prince's memory:
It was wrought in violets, upon a background of white flowers,
And as they gazed upon it their tears fell in showers;
But the whole assembly were hushed when Her Majesty did appear,
Attired in her deepest mourning, and from her eye there fell a tear.
Her Majesty was unable to stand long, she was overcome with grief,
And when the Highlanders lowered the coffin into the tomb she felt relief;
Then the ceremony closed with singing "Lead, kindly light,"
Then the Queen withdrew in haste from the mournful sight.
Then the Seaforth Highlanders' band played "Lochaber no more,"
While the brave soldiers' hearts felt depressed and sore;
And as homeward they marched they let fall many a tear
For the loss of the virtuous Prince Leopold they loved so dear.
captain!
Rostyslaw J. Lewyckyj
> why do you always post about the holocaust?
>
>
Probably rather uncomfortable information for some of the
regular posters here, including you.
Peter Jason
"Rostyslaw J. Lewyckyj" <urj...@bellsouth.net> wrote in
message news:APu2m.17351$he4....@bignews3.bellsouth.net...
The Israeli Jews are notorious for dragging the holocaust
Red Herring under our noses during times when their
invasion-by-settlement plot is exposed for what it is.
Recently President Obama was dragged all the way to
Buchenwald to make all the usual groaning noises about the
'horrors' and all the 'poor Jews' just after he had warned
the settlements to be stopped. Quid pro Quo?
Surely there are more topical horrors in the world
sufficient to grab the attention of the American president,
than the stale old Jew-marketeering holocaust bullshit!
God save us all!
Peter Jason
"Fred J. McCall" <fjmc...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:kc2m45pug3d51l0i6...@4ax.com...
> "Peter Jason" <p...@jostle.com> wrote:
> :
> :Surely there are more topical horrors in the world
> :sufficient to grab the attention of the American
> president,
> :than the stale old Jew-marketeering holocaust bullshit!
>
> Yes, there are - like, say, the prevalence of antiSemitic
> Holocaust
> deniers. There's a topical horror for you...
I am not denying the holocaust thing. I object to being
belted over the head with it ad nauseam ad infinitum ad
etceteras. Haven't we all had enough? Give it a rest
already!
Ever time Israel is most-justly chided about their invasion
by settlement, the Jewish fiddler crabs crawl out of their
holes and start waving their holocaust claws.
It's *so* blitheringly obvious, it's pathetic!
Peter Jason
> "Peter Jason" <p...@jostle.com> wrote:
>
> :
> :"Fred J. McCall" <fjmc...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> :news:kc2m45pug3d51l0i6...@4ax.com...
> :> "Peter Jason" <p...@jostle.com> wrote:
> :> :
> :> :Surely there are more topical horrors in the world
> :> :sufficient to grab the attention of the American
> president,
> :> :than the stale old Jew-marketeering holocaust
> bullshit!
> :> :
> :>
> :> Yes, there are - like, say, the prevalence of
> antiSemitic
> :> Holocaust
> :> deniers. There's a topical horror for you...
> :
> :I am not denying the holocaust thing.
>
> The "holocaust thing"?
>
> :
> :I object to being
> :belted over the head with it ad nauseam ad infinitum ad
> :etceteras. Haven't we all had enough? Give it a rest
> :already!
>
> Apparently *you* "haven't had enough".
>
> :
> :Ever time Israel is most-justly chided about their
> :by settlement, the Jewish fiddler crabs crawl out of
> their
> :holes and start waving their holocaust claws.
> :
> :It's *so* blitheringly obvious, it's pathetic!
>
> No, what's 'pathetic' is remarks like the preceding.
You have not addressed the point. Bluster & fluster just
will not do.
Peter Jason
> "Peter Jason" <p...@jostle.com> wrote:
>
> :
> :"Fred J. McCall" <fjmc...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> The 'point' is that your use of language indicates you are
> an
> antiSemitic git; next thing to a Nazi.
>
> You're not 'a little right'. You're way the fuck over
> there...
I am but an observer. Clearly the Zionazis are using the
holocaust as a *perpetual* red herring to deflect criticism
from their crime of invasion by settlement.
<insert fluster here..>
This would not matter if the Zionazis were prepared to
intermarry with the conquered race, and adopt some of their
practices and convene a convocation to update their archaic
religion to modern times.
<bluster away here..>
The last time the Zionazis did the invasion thing, to
Phoenicia & Canaan, they had to wade through blood for 3000
years. And now they're repeating that folly.
<put righteous indignation here, but spare a tear for the
poor slain denizens of Jericho..>
Remember: criticism is not anti-Semitism. And the Zioanis
are being increasingly criticised for their blatant racism
against the previous occupies of the Levant.
Shame!
The Phantom Piper
>
> The 'point' is that your use of language indicates you are an
> antiSemitic git; next thing to a Nazi.
I know you don't want me to Help. But for everything you've
said in your last three posts in this thread, including this one,
I am thankful, and you are, er - *right* - to be proud of it.
> You're not 'a little right'. You're way the fuck over there...
He makes you look like a Liberal, Fred! Why, you're a
bloody Secular Humanist by comparison! */8~D
Ducking And Running,
The Phantom Piper
The Phantom Piper
>
> Remember: criticism is not anti-Semitism. And the Zioanis
> are being increasingly criticised for their blatant racism
> against the previous occupies of the Levant.
These are the only clear sentiments you've voiced
without the taint of Anti-Semitic Holocaust Denial
permeating them. If you'd stopped right *There*,
with proper indignation for the _incredible_ Irony
and Hypocrisy of the Far Right in Israel, you would
have both been correct, and had support for it. But
you are a LoOniE, and a most unpleasant one.
> Shame!
That is, indeed, what you deserve when you make
Fred McCall look like a Pillar Of Humanist Reason
by comparison to yourself. Shame.
Disgusted,
The Phantom Piper
Peter Jason
"The Phantom Piper" <ThePhan...@comcast.net> wrote in
message
news:95209927-5685-4be8...@l12g2000yqo.googlegroups.com...
> Shame!
Disgusted,
The Phantom Piper
You sully this hallowed newsgroup by you blanket
blackwashing.
You have descended to name calling without any comment on
the specifics of my points.
Even my posts have an Expressive Heart that you choose to
ignore!
I am not alone in observing that The King has no Clothes,
that invasion is invasion, and occupation is occupation.
It seems I'm destined to be 'The Little Match Boy', to sit
in a cold dingy doorway and to strike match now and then to
illumine for you the injustices rampant in the Levant at
the moment.
Exasperated!
The Phantom Piper
>
> It seems I'm destined to be 'The Little Match Boy', to sit
> in a cold dingy doorway and to strike match now and then
All you're missing is about a gallon of petrol;
it's quite expensive just now but I'd be willing
to spring for it if you'll wear it proudly.
Happy To Help You Strike Up,
The Phantom Piper
Peter Jason
The Phantom Piper
* Snort... *
The Phantom Piper
>
> No thanks. I've got no real use for religion,
> including Secular Humanism.
But you put all your Faith into "Libertarianism," don't you?
And *devoutly*, from what I can see...
(Gotta watch that stuff, Fred: it's worse than Scientology™.)
Not Being Glib,
The Phantom Piper