42 Friday, May 12, 1918
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
History of Reparations: They Helped Build Israel
By DR. ZEEV GOSHEN
World Zionist
Press Service
JERUSALEM — Twen-
ty-five years after the be-
ginning of German repara-
tions, it is appropriate to
ask: After the Holocaust,
who paid reparations? Why,
for what, and how much was
paid? Why did people feel so
strongly for and against it?
Was it beneficial or harmful
for Israel?
Only the Federal Repub-
lic of Germany (West Ger-
many) paid restitution.
The Reparations Agree-
ment between Israel and
the German Federal Repub-
Mazel Toy
Israel
lic was signed in Luxem-
bourg in September 1951.
The state of Israel re-
ceived in the course of
time $7,875 million but it
was not the sole reci-
pient. Twelve more coun-
tries were also compen-
sated to a far lesser ex-
tent, getting altogether
about $2,250 million. Ac- shares to Jews within the
cording to the laws of re- Federal Republic and to
stitution and compensa- beneficiaries in other
tion, a total of $103,500 countries.
The reparations were
million were paid out to
individuals, states and mostly paid in goods (80
institutions; about percent as far as the pay-
$33,750 million went to ments to the state of Israel
Israel and the rest was are concerned). This primed
paid out in almost equal the motor of the German
on your 30th
Anniversary
economy which was rising
from the ashes of World War
II. The orders made in the
framework of the repara-
tions were followed by
others on a normal commer-
cial basis for spare parts and
other goods.
According to German es-
timates, reparation pay-
ments still to be effected
will amount to some
$68,625 million; from this
total about $22,500 million
will go to individuals in Is-
rael (not to the state be-
cause this sort of restitution
has already been termi-
nated).
The $7,875 million from
which the state benefitted
meant the acquisition of
some 450,000 tons of mod-
ern shipping space by a
country whose merchant
fleet had formerly been al-
most non-existent. It meant
five power stations, quite a
number of big industrial
plants and machinery for
2,000 small and medium
enterprises — 12 percent of
the total imports of Israel.
The delivery of some
goods bought outside
Germany was financed
by reparation payments.
Much of the credit for the
preparation of the Repara-
tion Agreement and its im-
plementation is due to Dr.
Nahum Goldmann.
• •
West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, center,
meets with Zionist leader Nahum Goldmann, left, and
Israel's Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, in Israel in
1966. These three were the main pioneers of the Ger-
man reparations to Israel.
A SALUTE TO ISRAEL'S PEOPLE
On this 30th Anniversary of Statehood, men of good will everywhere
Salute Israel for remarkable achievements which have earned
the admiration and'respect of aft who honor bravery,
determination and the unconquerable Jewish wilt to survive
To build Israel and to keep her economically secure
THROUGH OUR LOAN DOLLARS
that is our pledge and our everlasting commitment.
You can obtain a prospectus from
STATE OF ISRAEL BONDS
25950 Greenfield Road
Oak Park, Michigan 48237
Phone: 968-0200