The Spoils of War

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Swiss banks have published lists of accounts dormant since World War II, many opened by people who became victims of the Holocaust. Some Jewish groups want to know why it took fifty years, and what will happen to money in dormant accounts once owned by Nazis. Meanwhile, a federal lawsuit seeks billions in alleged Nazi plunder. Will financial compensation help heal wounds? Is there risk of political backlash against European Jews?
Christophe Meier: Spokesman for the Swiss Banker's Association. Doug Bloomfield: Washington representative of the World Jewish Congress, the lead group in the World Jewish Restitution Organization. Hans Durig: Deputy counsel general, Consulate General of Switzerland in Los Angeles. Rabbi Marvin Hier: Dean and Founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Museum of Tolerance. Gabriel Kahn: News editor, Forward, a national Jewish weekly, which this year celebrated its centennial. Tommy Lapied: Chief editorial writer for Maariv, the second largest daily paper in Israel; former director general of Israeli state radio and television; host of a popular political talk show, and author of a dozen books. He has written twelve editorials about the Swiss bank accounts. Kathleen Connell: Controller, State of California. David D'Arcy: Correspondent for The Art Newspaper of London; contributing editor to Art & Auction magazine; regular contributor to The Economist and National Public Radio.

topic: State budget: .6 billion court judgement

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney

Producer:

Frances Anderton