Jews Urged to Seek Compensation from Egypt for Confiscated Property

The world Jewish community should investigate means of obtaining compensation and restitution from the Egyptian Government for damage caused Jews and for property confiscated from them by the Nasser regime, it was recommended here tonight at the concluding session of a two-day meeting of the European executive of the World Jewish Congress.

In a report by A. L., Easternan, political secretary of the WJC, and Dr. G. M Riegner, head of its Geneva office, it was estimated that nearly half of the Egyptian Jewish community had already been driven out of the country and that the Nasser regimes persecution, aimed at eradicating the Jews from Egyptian life, is still in full sway. The Egyptian Government campaign was continuing on both the legal and economic fronts, the report said.

The World Jewish Congress has made representations to the United Nations and to many of its member states, the meeting was told, but thus far to no avail. The only positive action by the UN. it was pointed out, was the decision by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to accept jurisdiction over Jews expelled or fleeing from Egypt.

The WJC pledged itself to further efforts in world capitals and suggested that an all-out effort must be made to arouse the public to act against the persecution of the Jews. The WJC executive acknowledged with appreciation the assistance given Jewish expellees and refugees by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the WJC. reported on negotiations between the Congress and other Jewish organizations for cooperation on international questions He said a final decision would be taken at the meeting of the WJC executive in London, scheduled for the end of April.

Members of the European executive from North African countries reported on the situation of the Jews in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. The position of the Jewish communities in Communist East Europe was also discussed.