Positive Step Forward;  Further Actions Needed for Other Restitution Issues

(New York, NY) September 22, 2024: The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) welcomes the Croatian Government’s decision to list Jewish gravesites as protected cultural heritage sites. This significant step, announced by Croatian Minister of Culture and Media, Nina Obuljen Koržinek during a gathering with Zagreb’s Jewish community, is vital for preserving Croatia’s rich Jewish cultural history and heritage.

“We are pleased to see this important recognition, which highlights the value of Jewish heritage in Croatia. Today, Jewish cemeteries are often the only evidence of the former Jewish presence in certain towns and villages, giving them exceptional  significance for both the Jewish people and the cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia. In light of this progress, we encourage the Croatian government to continue addressing other pressing restitution issues,” said Gideon Taylor, President, World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO).

The care of Jewish cemeteries has been a longstanding concern, highlighting the need for protective measures and maintenance of these historical sites. WJRO has consistently engaged with Croatian authorities to advocate for a comprehensive approach to safeguarding these vital cultural assets. Following a productive meeting with WJRO together with the Jewish community in Zagreb in November 2023, the Ministry of Culture initiated a process to protect 52 cemeteries, marking a positive development. However, many additional cemeteries face challenges due to neglect and urbanization.

“The recognition of Jewish gravesites as cultural heritage sites by the Croatian government is a crucial step toward acknowledging the profound losses suffered by the Jewish community during the Holocaust. With approximately 80 percent of Croatian Jewry murdered and their property looted, preserving these cemeteries honors the memory of those who were lost and underscores the importance of safeguarding our cultural heritage. It is imperative that this recognition leads to continued efforts to address the broader restitution issues still faced by the Jewish community in Croatia today,” said Daniel S. Mariaschin, CEO, B’nai B’rith International.

WJRO acknowledges the Croatian Jewish community and Dr. Ognjen Kraus for their persistent efforts in safeguarding Jewish cultural sites and addressing these important issues. The Federation of Jewish Communities was represented through Kraus’s participation, highlighting the collaborative commitment to preserving Croatia’s Jewish heritage. WJRO also appreciates the support from the U.S. Department of State, including Ellen Germain, Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues, and Israeli Ambassador to Croatia Gary Koren. Additionally, WJRO acknowledges Ivica Ceresnjes from WJRO, affiliated with the Center for Jewish Art of the Hebrew University and former president of the Jewish Community of Bosnia-Herzegovina, for his invaluable contributions to these efforts.

WJRO looks forward to continued dialogue with Croatian authorities to ensure that all aspects of Jewish cultural heritage receive the respect and protection they deserve.

Background:

The Jewish community in Croatia was almost obliterated in the period of the Shoah. Approximately 80 percent of Croatian Jewry was murdered, and their property was looted and/or destroyed. After the Second World War, most pre-war Jewish communities and societies were not re-established. Their property had been ransacked, often destroyed. Jewish cemeteries and other forms of their cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, were also desecrated or destroyed.

Of the more than 25,000 Jews who lived in what is now Croatia before the Second World War, only around 6,000 survived the Holocaust. Currently, about 2,000 Jews live in Croatia.

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