Last update - 00:00 20/06/2007
Holocaust property restoration Website receives thousands of hits
By Amiram Barkat
The Website of the government company responsible for locating and restoring Holocaust property received over 12,000 hits by 15:00 Wednesday. In addition, the company's phone hotline received over 550 calls.
The government company released on its Internet site Wednesday morning a list of names of those killed in the Holocaust who had assets in Israel.
The list contains approximately 3,000 bank accounts and 500 properties.
Founded in 2006, the company oversees the restoration of property belonging to the heirs of Holocaust victims. Most of the bank accounts were opened in the 1930s in banks in Palestine, with the majority in the Anglo-Palestine Bank, now Bank Leumi. The accounts were managed for decades by the custodian general, which transfered them to the company.
Properties were also transfered to the company by the Jewish National Fund.
The company is also to receive information about works of art and books owned by Holocaust victims held by local museums and libraries.
After publication of today's list, which will appear on the company's Internet site, families will be able to locate property that belonged to the victims, and submit applications to have it restored to the heirs.
The company issued a statement Tuesday that applications can be made for the restoration of assets not included on the list. Assets for whom no heirs are found will be used to assist needy survivors as well as commemoration organizations.
The company's Web site is www.hashava.org.il; telephone 03-5164117.