Summer 2023

Global Summit Convenes in UK to Address Unclaimed Holocaust Property Stolen from Jews and Others. The UK convened an urgent international gathering on March 28 to tackle the mounting crisis of unclaimed Holocaust-era property, much of which was looted from Jews and other victims by the Nazi authorities. The gathering, attended by delegates from various nations, centered on the pressing issue of reuniting these possessions with their rightful heirs. Eric Pickles, the UK’s special envoy for post-Holocaust matters, cautioned that the window for reparation is rapidly closing as survivors capable of identifying their belongings diminish. Pickles, together with Mark Weitzman, COO of the World Jewish Restitution Organization, emphasized the need for swift action within the next five years to stave off irrevocable losses. Despite challenges posed by geopolitical events such as Russia’s actions in Ukraine, progress has been made in countries like Lithuania, Latvia, and Moldova. The conference’s participants committed to further collaboration and future events to expedite property restitution, aligning with the Terezin Declaration’s principles and the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art. These endeavors signify a global pursuit of justice and commemoration, reclaiming stolen history and preserving the memory of Holocaust victims.

From Looted to Reclaimed: Italy’s Triumph in Recovering 266 Antiquities. Italy celebrated the successful repatriation of 266 antiquities from the United States, highlighting the return of Etruscan vases, Roman coins, and mosaics worth millions of euros. These artifacts were unlawfully acquired, looted, and subsequently sold to American museums and private collectors. The restitution included items recently seized in New York from a storage unit linked to British antiquities dealer Robin Symes. Notably, the collection encompassed artifacts declined by Houston’s Menil Collection due to concerns about their provenance. The voluntary return of these items was prompted by the determination that they were obtained through clandestine archaeological excavations, as confirmed by Italy’s Carabinieri police. The repatriated items had remarkable histories, including an Apulian krater dating back to 335 B.C., seized in New York and connected to the renowned dealer Giacomo Medici. Additionally, two Etruscan tile paintings originating from the Cerveteri necropolis site were involved, having been looted in the 1980s and sold through Symes to New York collectors. Italy’s persistent efforts to recover looted antiquities have included previous retrieval of 750 objects from Symes’ London company, emphasizing the country’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage. The restitution agreement, resulting from complex negotiations, also allowed Symes to address financial obligations using proceeds from select item sales.