Libyan Jews Want Reparations Too
In a recent post, Roy Dickson reported that Italy announced its intentions to compensate Libya, an amount of $5 billion, for years of colonial rule and the harsh treatment of Libyans under Mussolini.
It has now been revealed that the World Organization of Libyan Jews has requested that a portion of the funds should be given to Jews who lived in Libya under Italian rule, and eventually migrated to Israel by 1967. In a letter by the chairman of the organization, Meir Kahakon, to the current prime minister of Italy, Kahakon states, “we believe Italy owes the Jews of Libya compensation for the suffering and pain engraved into our flesh to this day.” Libyan Jews faced the same damages under Italian colonialism, as well as dehumanization during WWII when they were shipped to forced labor and concentration camps. Therefore they deserve a portion of the funds Italy is giving for those very actions.
Kahakon also sent a letter to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi demanding a portion of the funds be transferred as soon as they arrive.
David Crowley
