WORLD IN BRIEF : EUROPE : Jewish Group to Ask for Restitution

A new organization will seek restitution of Jewish communal property worth billions of dollars seized by Nazi and Communist governments in Eastern Europe, it was disclosed in Jerusalem. The new Jewish Restitution Organization unites eight groups to claim return of or compensation for communal assets, including schools, hospitals, synagogues, artworks and ritual objects. “We demand restitution of property taken away from Jews by two sets of illegal regimes--the Nazis and then the Communists,” said Israel Singer, secretary general of the World Jewish Congress, one of the eight member organizations. The organization estimates that the property is worth at least $10 billion.

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