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