RTV Maastricht
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In cooperation with
L1mburg
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NOS News•today, 13:49
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The Dutch-Israeli Main Synagogue Limburg is “surprised and shocked” that the municipality of Beek will not investigate the role of the municipality in the robbery of Jewish real estate during the Second World War.
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Estate agents, notaries and buyers made a lot of money from the homes of Jews during the war, says Ernst de Reus, chairman of the Jewish faith community in Limburg. “It is certain that the municipality of Beek has also bought houses from Jewish residents and that is why it is necessary to look at what happened in the past. I think it is very bad that the municipality is not doing this.”
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At the initiative of De Reus, other Limburg municipalities – including Roermond, Maastricht and Venlo – are currently investigating how they dealt with real estate belonging to Jews during the Second World War.
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As far as is known, Beek is 1Limburg, the only Limburg municipality that itself purchased real estate from Jewish residents. For example, it is established that NSB mayor Paul Schmalbach forced an elderly Jewish couple to hand over their home to him. Official documents show that Beek bought three houses or lots from Jewish residents.
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Conversation is desired
That is precisely why, according to De Reus, it is so painful that the municipality will not conduct an investigation. “As a Jewish community, we feel responsible to do everything possible and will certainly take action if the municipality of Beek refuses to conduct an investigation. I would like to discuss this with the alderman.”
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It is not clear why the municipality of Beek does not want to conduct an investigation. Alderman responsible Ralph Diederen has informed the regional broadcaster L1 that he “has no intention” to have an investigation done.
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