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In a shift, Latvia and Lithuania are paying Holocaust survivors and heirs for their stolen property
(JTA) — A narrow window is open now through Dec. 31 for Lithuanian Holocaust survivors and their descendants to apply for restitution, under the terms of a law passed last year.
A similar law enacted in Latvia has also taken effect, giving Holocaust survivors from that country the chance to secure one-time payments of about $5,300.
“For many people, these agreements are not just about money; they’re about recognition,” Gideon Taylor, president of the World Jewish Restitution Organization, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “It’s countries coming to terms with the past, acknowledging that there were Jews there, that every house, every building represents an individual story.”
Both of the Baltic nations contained rich centers of Jewish life and history before World War II. The Nazis, together with their Lithuanian and Latvian collaborators, killed 90% of the 220,000 Jews in Lithuania and 75% of the 95,000 Jews in Latvia. Today, there are about 5,000 Jews living in Lithuania and 9,500 in Latvia.
Both countries were occupied by the Soviet Union during the war and remained part of the Soviet Union until its dissolution. That explains why they are only offering restitution more than 80 years after their Jews were expropriated, deported and killed, Taylor said.
“The communist ideology was that they were those who had fought against the Nazis and they had no responsibility,” he said. “So there was never any possibility of reparations or compensation for property, and in addition, property was all confiscated by the communist government and belonged to the state.”
Some Latvian and Lithuanian survivors might draw compensation through the annual reparations packages negotiated by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, which last year secured $1.4 billion, the most ever, for survivors. But the former Soviet countries have not offered their own direct compensation programs, and most programs for descendants of those who were killed, imprisoned or had their property seized by the Nazis and their collaborators have expired.
Starting in 1991, for example, Lithuania passed a series of laws dedicated to the restitution of private property expropriated by the totalitarian regimes — but since these laws required applicants to have current Lithuanian citizenship, they effectively excluded most Holocaust survivors and families who fled the country.
Now, the Lithuanian restitution program is open to both survivors and direct heirs of private Jewish property that was nationalized or illegally expropriated under the Nazi and Soviet regimes. A 2022 law granted 5 to 10 million euros (roughly $5.4 to $10.8 million) to be distributed among Holocaust victims by the Good Will Foundation. The exact amount of each one-time payment will be determined based on the total number of approved applicants, who will receive their compensation by July 1, 2025.
The Latvian program, also launched in 2022, offers a payment of 5,000 euros (about $5,370) to survivors who lived in Latvia as of June 21, 1941, during the country’s brief German occupation, meaning that only people 82 and older could be eligible. The Latvian Jewish Community Restitution Fund will approve the compensation funds on a rolling basis.
The World Jewish Restitution Organization is attempting to find survivors and direct heirs who might be eligible for restitution across the Jewish world, including in Israel, the United States and Canada. Survivor databases have allowed them to contact some people directly. But they are also running social media campaigns, placing ads and even partnering with influencers to reach the shrinking number of people who still hold a connection to the past.
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The post In a shift, Latvia and Lithuania are paying Holocaust survivors and heirs for their stolen property appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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Anti-Israel Protests Force Early End to Vuelta a Espana Cycle Race
Cycling – Vuelta a Espana – Stage 21 – Alalpardo to Madrid – Madrid, Spain – September 14, 2025 Protesters clash with police during Stage 21. Photo: REUTERS/Ana Beltran
Anti-Israel protests forced the abandonment of the Vuelta a Espana cycle race at its finale on Sunday, with Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard declared the winner as police sought to quell demonstrations against an Israeli team’s participation.
Protesters overturned metal barriers and occupied the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) race route at several points in the Spanish capital Madrid as police attempted to push them back.
“The race is over,” a spokesperson for the race organizers told Reuters.
The protests have targeted the Israel-Premier Tech team over Israel’s actions in Gaza. Some riders had threatened to quit last week as routes were blocked, causing some falls.
More than 1,000 police officers were deployed on Sunday as cyclists reached the final stage of the 21-day race in Madrid.
It had been due to end at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT).
Earlier in the day, Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he admired the protesters.
“Today marks the end of the Vuelta,” Sanchez told a party rally in the southern city of Malaga.
“Our respect and recognition for the athletes and our admiration for the Spanish people who are mobilizing for just causes like Palestine.”
After the race was cancelled, clashes continued with protesters throwing bottles of water and other objects at police.
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Oct. 7 Documentary Wins People’s Choice Award in Toronto
A view of the Toronto area, which is home to Canada’s largest Jewish community. Photo: John Vetterli via Wikimedia Commons.
i24 News – A documentary chronicling retired Israeli General Noam Tibon’s daring rescue of his family during the Hamas attacks in 2023 has taken home the People’s Choice Award for best documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
“The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,” directed by Barry Avrich, depicts Tibon’s efforts amid the October 7 attacks, which left over 1,200 people dead and more than 250 abducted. The film has sparked heated debate, drawing both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations outside its screenings this week.
TIFF organizers confirmed the award via email Sunday morning, before CEO Cameron Bailey could present it during the festival’s ceremony at the TIFF Lightbox.
Avrich accepted the honor to subdued applause, thanking the festival for its support.
The documentary had previously faced a brief removal from TIFF’s schedule over security and rights concerns, a decision that drew criticism from politicians, Jewish organizations, and industry figures. The festival reinstated the film days later, with Bailey vowing clearer communication regarding programming choices.
Despite the protests, the film went on to screen as planned on Sunday afternoon. Some demonstrators had labeled the documentary “Israeli propaganda” without attending a showing.
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US Secretary of State Rubio Visits Western Wall with PM Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahou and Marco Rubio. Photo: David Azagury, US Embassy Jerusalem
i24 News – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off his official visit to Israel on Sunday with a symbolic visit to Jerusalem’s Western Wall. He was accompanied by his wife Janet, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, as well as US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and his wife.
The delegation participated in the reading of a psalm and a prayer honoring the US president for his support of Israel, commitment to regional security, and efforts toward peace. A separate prayer called for the swift return of hostages held in Gaza.
Rubio and the officials then toured newly uncovered archaeological tunnels beneath the Western Wall, where Mordechai (Suli) Eliav, director of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, presented artifacts dating to the destruction of the Second Temple.
Netanyahu hailed Rubio’s visit as a demonstration of the enduring strength of the US-Israel alliance. “This visit is a testament to the resilience and strength of the American-Israeli alliance, which is as durable and strong as the stones of the Western Wall,” he said. “Under President Trump, Secretary Rubio and their entire team, this alliance has never been stronger.”
At the conclusion of the visit, Rubio signed the Western Wall guest book, writing: “May peace arise over this Holy Land and the entire world.” The gesture marks the start of a diplomatic trip aimed at reinforcing US-Israel cooperation amid heightened regional tensions stemming from the conflict in Gaza.