Letter to Barack Obama, President of the United States - Urge President to Discuss Restitution for Holocaust Survivors during Trip to Europe

Letter

Dear Mr. President,

Last year marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and the 25th anniversary of German reunification. Congress also awarded the Monuments Men the Congressional Gold Medal for locating, preserving, and returning almost five million cultural items, including many of the world's greatest works of art, to their rightful owners. Over the past 70 years, the United States and Germany have developed a robust relationship and an ever increasing economic partnership such that last year the United States became Germany's leading export market.

As you prepare for your upcoming visit to Germany, we are writing to call attention to the art and property that was seized under the Nazi regime. From January 30, 1933 to May 8, 1945, the Nazis stole property belonging to Jewish families to finance their war machine. Unfortunately, much of this art has yet to be returned to its rightful owners. We hope that you will raise this important issue with Chancellor Angela Merkel during your trip.

In order to facilitate the return of art confiscated from victims of the Holocaust, the governments of the United States, Germany, and 42 other nations signed the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art of 1998 and the Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets and Related Issues of 2009. We believe that Germany and its federal authorities must commit to greater dialogue and cooperation with Holocaust survivors and their families to fulfill the requirements of the Washington and Terezin Declarations. For example, a basic principle adopted in 1998 is that museums should undertake an in-depth survey of all museum holdings and collections. It is concerning that the German Advisory Commission, which was established thirteen years ago to comply with the Washington Principles, has only ever heard eleven cases to determine the legal ownership of works of art. We believe that with your leadership, German authorities will recommit to greater dialogue, more transparency, and ultimately implement changes to the Advisory Commission.

At the Israeli Embassy, in January, you had stated that "governments have an obligation to care for the survivors of the Shoah." Your trip to Germany could not have come at a better moment to honor that commitment. Beginning at sundown on May 4, 2016, just a few days after your visit, the world will mark Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day). We acknowledge and commend the German government's progress on restitution of property. However, the last generation of Holocaust survivors is passing away, and we believe that this process must be expedited and more transparent.

We value the deep economic, cultural, and security ties between the United States and Germany and believe that these elements of our alliance will only be strengthened during your visit. We urge you to add art restitution during your conversations with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

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