Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich has spoken in plain terms about the government’s decision to postpone compensation to families that had property seized by the Nazis and Communists.

The announcement follows a similar message carried across by the World Jewish Congress, whose president, Ronald S. Lauder, voiced concern over Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s remarks that  “Poland cannot presently manage” to compensate any more citizens who lost property under the Nazis and Soviets.

“There is no difference, whether the owners of the property were Jewish or Christian,” the rabbi expressed.

“The Bible says ‘do not steal’.”

His remarks follow on from Poland’s declaration on Friday that it was postponing the bill on compensation, owing to “the global financial crisis”.

Although a great deal of property was successfully reclaimed following the collapse of communism in 1989, the process was far from uniform.

In many cases, property was sold to a third party, or had entered a state beyond realistic redemption. Other examples are still directly owned by the state.

Groups such as the World Jewish Congress and the Polish Landowners Association (PTZ) have campaigned for two decades for a breakthrough on the matter.

In 2008, Prime Minister Tusk verified that his government was drawing up a bill, following proposals that 20 percent of the current value of the property would be reimbursed. About 89,000 claims are still outstanding, however.

Opponents of the bill claimed that Poland should not have to pay for the crimes of the Nazis and Communists. (Estimates in 2008 amounted to 48 billion US dollars).

However, those in favour note that the majority of Central and Eastern European countries have already introduced effective laws on compensation.

Rabbi Schudrich, who is generally known for his conciliatory stance, was unambiguous in his remarks this week.

“The manner in which the state gives back the property; what percentage [of the value], that is not my jurisdiction, but the refusal to return it to the owners is immoral,” he said.

“I hope that the government reconsiders the question once again.” (nh/jb)

Source: PAP