Jewish Leaders Confer with Greek Government Representatives on Restoration of Property

Full restitution of property to the Jews of Greece who suffered systematic decimation during three years of Axis occupation has finally been pledged by representatives of the Greek Government at a conference with Israel Jacobson, representative of the Joint Distribution Committee, Miss May Zahl, representing the Jewish Relief Committee of Great Britain, and Daniel Alhanatis, vice-president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Greece.

Speaking for the government, Michael Pesmasoglou, Vice-Minister of Finance, and Governor General Merenditis of Macedonia assured the Jewish representatives that 1 decree will shortly be promulgated abolishing the Nazi “Law No. 205,” issued under the Quisling regime of Premier Rhallis, which stripped the Jews in Macedonia of all their wealth and instituted the Nuremberg laws there.

Pesmazoglou revealed that a decree rescinding this order has already been passed at a session of the cabinet and signed by the Regent, Archbishop Damaskinos. The Jewish representatives reminded Pesmasoglou that although it has been six months since Greece’s liberation, only about one-half of the shops, offices and other business establishments requested by 160 surviving Jewish owners have been returned. The remainder of these properties, as well as Jewish properties unclaimed due to the disappearance of their owners, are being occupied by persons named by the Germans, or by selected merchants who rented these establishments from collaborationists.

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY WILL BE TURNED OVER TO JEWISH COMMUNITY

Replying to these complaints, the Finance Vice-Minister explained that efficient administration in Greece is hampered because of physical ravages of the occupation period. He pledged that the Ministry of Justice would take prompt action to return all remaining business places and dwelling to persons able to establish legal claims.

“Where no heir can be found, the administration of the property will be supervised by a special commission until the proper claimant appears,” Pesmazoglou said. “This commission will be composed of two representatives nominated by the Jewish community and two government officials, under the chairmanship of a Supreme Court Justice. It is hoped that, ultimately, all former Jewish properties which are unclaimed will be given to the Jewish community as symbolic partial recompense for its physical and spiritual losses during the war.”

Governor General Merenditis told the Jewish representatives that Salonica’s synagogues, Jewish hospitals, orphanages and homes for aged, as well as all other former Jewish social welfare institutions, will be restored to the Jewish community at once. The remaining Jewish communal buildings now occupied by non-Jewish refugees, or by British and Greek military and governmental services, will be required to pay rent to the Jewish community. These funds will be devoted to urgent community needs, principally relief and maintenance of destitute Jews.

GERMAN AND ITALIAN JEWS, WILL ALSO GET PROPERTY BACK

German and Italian Jews, hitherto treated as enemy aliens, will likewise receive their properties and equel status with Greek nationals in respect to their legal rights, the Governor General added. Both government spokesmen expressed deep regret when informed by the Jewish representatives that the ancient historic tombstones

These stones are still being used as building material, as paving blocks and even in entrances to public lavatories. Similarly, Sefer Torahs and other sacred books remain piled up in junk yards and are being sold for conversion into shoe linings and crepping paper. The Governor General, who is returning to Salonika today, said he would issue immediate orders for the reclamation and restoration of all tombstones and religious objects wherever they can be found.