Kesher Talk

Sephardi Jews to sue Arab League to counter Palestinian refugee claims: Jews who once made their homes in Arab nations are planning to sue the Arab League for lost and stolen property. Some 800,000 Jews fled Arab lands in the aftermath of Israel’s creation — roughly the same number of Palestinians who became refugees in the wake of Israel’s War of Independence.

The lawsuit does not estimate a financial figure, but is seeking restitution for 200,000 houses, 6,000 synagogues, and hundreds of schools, cemeteries and other assets confiscated from once-thriving Jewish communities across the Arab world.

Compensation is unlikely to be granted of course, but money is not the point. The lawsuit is a strategy to raise awareness of the issue to “counterbalance” the Palestinian proposal for a right of return to Israel and alleviate pressure on Israel to accept it.

posted by Howard @ 6/19/2002 09:32:32 AM