Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., February 11, 2008 Adar1 5, 5768 | | Israel Time: 13:46 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

A Tunisian-born couple living in Moshav Alma, in the Galilee. (Alex Levac) Last update - 20:12 10/02/2008 Tunisian-born Israelis win state compensation for Holocaust suffering By The Associated Press Tags: Israel, Tunisia, Holocaust  Tunisian-born Israeli Jews who suffered under World War II Nazi occupation have won a five-year battle to be recognized as eligible for the same government stipends paid to survivors of the Holocaust of European Jewry, according to a court document obtained Sunday. David Etzion, an attorney acting for 19 claimants, said the ruling meant that approximately 20,000 Tunisian Jews who immigrated to Israel are fully entitled to claim the monthly benefits, which average about $330. German troops occupied Tunisia in November 1942. According to Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, around 5,000 local Jews were rounded up and subjected to forced labor, and 20 Jewish activists were sent to their deaths in the extermination camps of Europe before allied forces arrived in May 1943. Advertisement During the six months of Nazi rule in Tunisia, Jews were forced to wear yellow stars on their clothing, many had their property seized and community leaders were arrested, according to Yad Vashem's Web site. Of around 100,000 Jews in Tunisia at the time of the Nazi occupation the vast majority had emigrated by the 1960s, mainly to Israel and to former colonial ruler France. Figures published by the Jewish Agency show that about 1,500 Jews remain in Tunisia. Many of those who moved to Israel left everything behind, Etzion said, but despite their hardships the Israeli government said they did not qualify for payments from a fund set up from German reparations for Nazi victims, as they had been Tunisian subjects during the occupation and had not been displaced from their homelands. A copy of the court ruling obtained by The Associated Press Sunday rejected that argument, however, noting that the Jews of Tunisia were only granted citizenship of that country after its independence from France in 1956. "No justification was found for denying the eligibility of the Jews of Tunisia for compensation," the document read. Etzion said the claimants would not be able to file retroactive demands but would seek payment of the benefits dating from the court ruling last Monday. "For more than five years our Finance Ministry has rejected claims by the Jews of Tunisia," he said. "Now the Finance Ministry has to pay." A ministry spokesman said he was not aware of the court ruling and had no immediate comment on the issue. Related articles: Tunisian becomes first Arab nominated as 'righteous gentile' Vandals trample flowers at Holocaust memorial in Berlin Britain to fund high school trips of understanding to Auschwitz More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us   All in the family Tel Aviv municipality moves to retain contract with Gaza City as 'twin city.' Pining for a leader A documentary examines Ariel Sharon's motive for the Gaza disengagement.   1.   Extend the argument a bit 20:15  |  Colin Wright 10/02/08   2.   Colin: Extend It More 00:34  |  Brad 11/02/08   3.   TUNISIAN JEWS 12:44  |  STEWART 11/02/08

Today Online Hamas leaders go underground as Israel plans targeted killings Responses: 90 Harel and Issacharoff: New Hamas tactic: Bomb Israel into truce Responses: 55 Hebron settlers, Arab clans said holding 'reconciliation talks' Responses: 50 Editorial: Israel must protect its citizens and borders at all costs Responses: 41 Rosner's Domain Think Clinton won the Jewish vote in California? Think again McCain found a tool with which to woo conservative Republicans: Israel Why many Jewish men go beardless (WTR) New poll: Is it legitimate to cut electricity to Gaza? Factor: How's McCain better than Obama More Headlines 12:41 Barak orders IDF to gird for wide Gaza offensive 13:34 Hamas leaders go into hiding as Israel plans targeted killings 11:28 U.S. Jew says kicked out of Belgian cafe for wearing kippah 12:54 Sderot residents block Ayalon Hwy. in protest of Qassam fire 13:45 Olmert: Security forces may use every means to stop rockets 12:38 Barak said hoping to clinch spy satellite sale during Turkey visit 09:52 ANALYSIS / New Hamas tactic: Bomb Israel into a truce 13:12 On revolution anniversary, Iran vows not to suspend nuclear program 13:36 Jewish-owned home torched in Peki'in by Druze youth 13:23 Obama rides momentum before 'Potomac Primaries' on Tuesday 12:44 U.S. pushes Israel to accept proposed Egypt border deal 09:01 Police: Crime dropped in 2007 as less terror put cops back on beat 10:44 IDF imposes closure on Jenin to thwart would-be suicide bomber Previous Editions Select Day 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan

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