Menachem Rosensaft

The World Jewish Congress has failed to back its general counsel Menachem Rosensaft after he called for the international Jewish community to boycott Poland until it adopts a law on the restitution of Jewish property.

WJC secretary general, Michael Schneider, said in a statement Thursday that, “Although Mr. Rosensaft is the general counsel of the World Jewish Congress his statements on the issue were made in a personal capacity and not on behalf of the WJC. At no point has the WJC proposed a boycott of Poland, nor have we considered or discussed any such measures.”

The statement, however, recalls what WJC President Ronald S. Lauder has already said on the restitution problem.

"This issue has been under discussion in Poland for almost two decades, through many economic periods, including the present one when Poland is experiencing some of the strongest economic growth in the European Union.

“It is unacceptable that Poland cannot find some way to meet its responsibility to former landowners. Most central and eastern European countries have adopted some type of law to provide for the restitution of or compensation for confiscated property. Poland stands out for its failure to do so.” (kk/pg)

related article

Call for compromise, thenews.pl, 31 March