The Israel parliament approved a law today placing German property in the Jewish state under the care of a special custodian with a view to facilitating Jewish compensation claims in Germany.
The new law provides for the possibility of property restitution to Germans who are proven anti-Nazis, as well as for the return of “religious or cultural property.” The Israel Government has made it clear, however, that there will be no restitution of property in Israel to German organizations, but only to international church organizations.
Earlier, the parliament was the scene of a violent attack by Herut deputy Uri Zvi Greenberg on the government over the attendance last night by Minister of Religion Judah Maimon at a private function honoring Charles Lutz, former Swiss consul in Budapest, who is now representing the World Lutheran Federation in negotiations with the Israel Government for the restitution of German church property. Mr. Lutz left for Geneva today.
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