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Last update - 00:00 18/03/2007 Proposal would launch state talks with Poland over Jewish property By Amiram Barkat The cabinet is to discuss a proposal to open direct negotiations with Poland regarding the restoration of Jewish property to the heirs of Polish Jews. Israel has never conducted direct negotiations with a foreign government for this purpose, but rather has left the task to umbrella organizations like the Claims Conference. The proposal is to be presented by Minister Rafi Eitan (Pensioners Party), now in charge of the issue of restitution of Jewish property lost during World War II. Eitan is to propose a detailed survey of Jewish property in Poland and the establishment of a corporation to handle claims. Advertisement The Foreign Ministry has been opposed to government involvement in restitution of Jewish property from Poland and other countries in Eastern Europe due to concerns that it might harm relations between Israel and these countries. However, Eitan, who met two weeks ago with Polish government officials on the matter, told Haaretz that he believed the Poles would not oppose the direct involvement of the Israeli government. Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski announced at the beginning of March that he had met with representatives of Jewish organizations dealing with the matter and that by the end of the year, a compensation law would be on the books. The rate of compensation would be around 15 to 20 percent of the property's value. The Israeli and American ambassadors were present at the meeting with Kaczynski. After the survey in Poland, Eitan's proposed corporation would deal with all resulting claims, cut bureaucracy and protect the heirs from fraud. Eitan says the body could be jointly owned by the Israeli government and the Claims Conference. Germany, Austria, France and most of western and central European countries already have arrangements for restoring stolen Jewish property. Most of the heirs in these countries have already filed their claims. However, Eastern European countries have done almost nothing on this matter. Poland, which had 3.5 million Jewish inhabitants before the war, is the most important country in this respect. Figures presented to the ministerial committee on Jewish property matters estimate assets in Poland to be worth approximately $30 billion to $40 billion. Private groups dealing with the restitution of Jewish property have reacted skeptically to Eitan's initiative. Shlomo Taub, director of a private corporation dealing with such claims, said past experience shows that public and governmental bodies cannot move matters forward. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Words of hope Hamas leader Zahar: Final word on Israel truce proposal soon. Iran talks Biden: U.S. will to talk to Iran and take action if necessary.   1.   Restitution of property from Jewish Poles 01:51  |  Miriam 19/03/07   2.   The compensations should end. Enough already! 02:42  |  Goldi 19/03/07   3.   whore goldi, we don´t need your cretin points 05:19  |  vladimir 19/03/07   4.   shame Haaretz for printing foul language of #3 08:09  |  Sally Forth 19/03/07   5.   Agree with #2 disagree with #3 08:09  |  Chana Shmueli 19/03/07   6.   #3 u lose big points for foul language personal attack 08:11  |  Susan Cohen 19/03/07   7.   How much $ will Mr. Eitan make & then not talk about? 08:16  |  Sally Forth 19/03/07   8.   Enough 12:26  |  haim barukh 19/03/07   9.   Finkelstein and "Holocaust Industry" 12:56  |  Michael 19/03/07   10.   #1 Miriam: Reparations to Pals for property stolen from Jews? 13:05  |  Yacov 19/03/07   11.   Vile Vladimeir in Rio! 13:48  |  Goldi 19/03/07   12.   restitution business 13:59  |  Christine 19/03/07   13.   Miriam fair is fair 14:27  |  Steven 19/03/07   14.   Vlad shut shut his filthy mouth 14:42  |  Stephan 19/03/07   15.   restitution 14:44  |  Even Hand 19/03/07   16.   #steven 13 14:58  |  Bil 19/03/07   17.   `3 Vladimir 15:17  |  Colin 19/03/07   18.   Stephan grandparents were digusted by Justice? 15:35  |  Steven 19/03/07   19.   restitution 16:00  |  Shanna 19/03/07   20.   Colin does not like russians, why is he here? 16:27  |  Steven 19/03/07   21.   Claim would have more validity if ... 16:31  |  Regev 19/03/07   22.   Yakov #10 16:32  |  Samaritan 19/03/07   23.   dgry with 2 20:37  |  isely 19/03/07   24.   Israel pockets Holocaust survivor`s restition 21:30  |  Abe 19/03/07   25.   #18 steven 21:35  |  Colin 19/03/07   26.   Bil so the Mossad make Egypt extort $ from Jews? 22:33  |  Steven 19/03/07   27.   Colin the USA means nothing 22:37  |  Steven 19/03/07   28.   colin #25 you must be ashamed 22:42  |  eli 19/03/07   29.   Regev #21 22:43  |  Mary-Anne 19/03/07   30.   Jews coming to Poland behave like cavemen 05:11  |  Krak 20/03/07   31.   You CAN Get Your Polish Property Back 22:47  |  Hashava 07/02/09

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