The Haifa Magistrate’s Court granted a petition Thursday by the “Yad Ezer L’Haver” charity and issued an emergency injunction barring the “Paamonim” auction house from selling historic Holocaust artifacts. The decision comes after the charity filed a petition arguing that selling these items to private hands could cause irreversible damage to Holocaust research and remembrance.
1+The items include rare pieces of supreme historical importance—among them an original yellow star badge and liberation documents of Holocaust survivors. Judge Hava Klamper-Martzki accepted the charity’s arguments in full, presented by CEO Shimon Sabag, and ruled there is a real concern the items will disappear from public view if sold.
“Yad Ezer L’Haver” CEO Shimon Sabag expressed satisfaction with the decision. “I want to thank the judge for a correct and significant decision. These items belong in a Holocaust museum so future generations can see and learn from them. Trading in Holocaust items is simply revolting and unbelievable,” he said. Sabag previously succeeded in blocking a similar sale of Holocaust artifacts in Germany.
1+“Yad Ezer L’Haver” is known for its extensive work on behalf of Holocaust survivors in Israel. The charity operates the Holocaust Museum in Haifa and runs a warm home providing shelter and assistance to dozens of Holocaust survivors, with an emphasis on preserving Holocaust memory and passing it on to future generations.