Demanding Transparency

Demanding Transparency in Lithuania’s Holocaust Restitution Agreement

A recent Ynet report exposes the meager sums disbursed to descendants of Lithuanian Holocaust victims, raising serious concerns about the restitution process. Gideon Taylor, President of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany and the World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO), has endorsed a “symbolic” payment in place of billions in stolen Jewish property. This agreement, which de-facto renounces further pursuit of truth from Lithuania, appears to primarily benefit the Lithuanian government and involved NGOs, offering little to Jewish descendants and even less to the cause of truth and justice.

To address these concerns, the following seven questions demand immediate, comprehensive and transparent answers in a public forum:

1. Who negotiated this “symbolic” payment with the Lithuanian government?
2. By what authority did they act?
3. What was their rationale for accepting this deal?
4. How much has the Lithuanian government paid for this settlement and other settlements involving the American Jewish Committee (AJC)?
5. What was the total fund distribution from the Lithuanian government for each payment tranche, when, and to whom?
6. What expenses did the AJC and WJRO incur? Audited records—including travel, hotel, salary, and other expenditures—must be disclosed.
7. Why did descendants receive so little? Lithuania reportedly paid multiple tranches of money for communal and private property. Ynet suggests 340 recipients received approximately 20,000 Euros each, totaling 6.8 million Euros for the final tranche. Where is the remaining balance, and to whom or what was it allocated?

In light of recent scandals, such as the one involving the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), the global Jewish community must demand accountability from NGOs handling Holocaust restitution. The WJRO and AJC must provide comprehensive, audited answers to these questions, along with all relevant financial records, to ensure credibility and legitimacy.

To prevent perceptions of profiteering, Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC Director, International Jewish Affairs, must personally disclose his Lithuanian travel records, expense reports, and any related income or expenditures tied to financial agreements with Lithuania. No individual or organization should profit from the Holocaust. Full transparency from the AJC and WJRO is non-negotiable to confirm they uphold this principle.

The Israeli American Civic Action Network (ICAN), alongside advocates Grant Gochin, Silvia Foti, Michael Kretzmer, and Eugene Levin, has tirelessly demanded Lithuania acknowledge its role in Holocaust atrocities. Their work, including contributions to documentaries like J’Accuse! and Baltic Truth, highlights Lithuania’s persistent refusal to accept responsibility. ICAN’s efforts suggest some Jewish organizations prioritize revenue and political convenience over historical accountability, treating truth as a negotiable commodity.

While this agreement marks a step forward, it falls far short of justice. The Jewish community deserves clear answers, and organizations entrusted with our history and finances must adhere to the highest standards of integrity. Transparency is not optional—it is a moral imperative. We demand the immediate release of audited expense reports and financial statements.