Exposing the Bank's Secrets: Unraveling the Simson Cohn Account Mystery
Inheritor of Holocaust Victim Initiates Lawsuit Against Sparkasse: Where Did the Fortune of Jew Samson Cohn End Up? - Nazi victims' heirs are filing a lawsuit against the savings bank: What became of Simson Cohn's funds?
Written by Leon BerentReading Time: 2 Minutes
In a shocking court ruling, the Higher Regional Court of Hamm has refused to award an approximate 400,000 euros to Marc Benseghir, the great-grandson of Jewish butcher master Simson Cohn. The money belonged to Cohn, who had his bank account confiscated by the Nazi regime in the 1930s. Sparkasse at Volme and Ruhr, the bank holding the account, has stonewalled Benseghir's attempts to access the funds.
The court's decision is based on the statute of limitations, with judges declaring that Benseghir has no claim to the account due to expired claims dating back to the 1970s. This ruling, however, has sparked outrage among the victims' descendants, with Benseghir expressing his intention to appeal.
"It's a farce!" Benseghir told stern. He believes the burden of proof has now shifted to the bank, as he only discovered the account in 2019. He accuses the bank of stalling and lying throughout the process. "We've got to fight this through every instance, even up to the Federal Court of Justice if necessary," Benseghir stated.
The Sparkasse at Volme and Ruhr has remained evasive about providing information, stating they have already presented all relevant documents relating to account 4409 in court. The bank also denies making any false statements regarding the account's existence.
The ruling is not the final word, as an appeal is possible. If upheld, however, it will further complicate the attempts of victims' descendants to recover their family's stolen assets.
Historical Ramifications
The systematic looting of Jewish assets during World War II, including bank accounts, was part of a larger economic persecution and Aryanization of Jewish businesses and properties[4][5]. Post-war restitution efforts have been criticized for being insufficient and complex, making it challenging for foreign heirs to reclaim their family's assets[5].
The case demonstrates the ongoing struggle for justice and the need for international cooperation to address the historical injustices perpetrated during the Nazi era. Zwi Rappoport, chairman of the Westphalia-Lippe Association of Jewish Communities, emphasized the need for clarity in the case.
"The demand to open the files on Jewish accounts from the NS era is absolutely correct. The case must be addressed," Rappoport stated. He also questioned the bank's actions, stating that the descendants of victims were being dismissed against the backdrop of the bank's complicity in the Nazi regime.
"The plaintiffs must be given the opportunity to clarify the facts," Rappoport urged. "This should also be in the interest of the general public."
[4] "Jewish property and assets in Nazi Germany," United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (2021). [Online]. Available: https://www.ushmm.org/information/article/jewish-property-and-assets
[5] "Nazi gold: The search for victims' assets six decades on," BBC News. (2017). [Online]. Available: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37244130
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the banking and finance industry, considering the potential entanglement of these risks with business operations and the handling of assets, particularly those frozen during the Nazi era.
- The descendants of Simson Cohn, a Jewish butcher master whose bank account was confiscated by the Nazi regime, have confirmed their support for this directive, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the banking-and-insurance sector regarding the protection of workers and the handling of potentially tainted assets.
- Banks, such as Sparkasse at Volme and Ruhr, which have historically been implicated in the Aryanization of Jewish businesses and properties, are urged to take a proactive approach in implementing this directive to ensure the safety of their employees and the integrity of their operations.
- The finance industry, still grappling with the aftermath of the Simson Cohn account mystery and other historical injustices, stands to benefit from this directive by fostering trust and credibility, thereby promoting stability and growth in the post-WWII economic climate.
- The ongoing struggle for justice in cases like Simson Cohn's underscores the need for an updated regulatory framework that addresses the unique challenges faced by industries dealing with ionizing radiation and the handling of assets with complex historical backgrounds.
