The Israel Consulate here issued a statement today making it clear that the Israel Government seeks no reparations from Austria. The statement was issued in connection with the recent speech by the Finance Minister Reinhardt Kamitz in the Austrian Parliament in which he referred to Israel’s attitude towards the claims presented to the Austrian Government by World Jewish groups for damages suffered by Jews under the Nazi regime in Austria.
The Israel Consulate statement said: “The Foreign Minister of Israel declared on November 11, 1952, that Israel has raised no claims with Austria for reparations similar to those with Germany. This statement, however, did not say that Israel has renounced the claims and rights due its citizens from Austria on the basis of individual compensation. Israel, furthermore, on that occasion, emphasized its readiness to support the claims of the world Jewish organizations on compensation and heirless and unclaimed Jewish property in Austria.”
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