TALLAHASSEE—A bill that would allow the state to seek restitution for property and money Nazi’s took from Holocaust victims during World War II is on its way to Gov. Rick Scott. The measure (HB 913) unanimously passed the Florida Senate week after the House unanimously passed it. The bill would let the Department of Financial Services seek restitution for Holocaust victims and their heirs for Nazi-confiscated bank accounts, art and property. The measure was one of Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater’s legislative priorities. If the bill passes, it would set a precedent for states and would be an end run around Federal legislation that prevents class action Holocaust restitution suits from being brought against foreign governments and businesses.

StreetWise from JStreet

For those curious about JStreet and its positions on the issues, StreetWise (http://jstreet.org/street-wise?akid=2189.151763.BVO1TG&rd=1&t=13) offers a guide to answering some of the toughest questions related to Israel and J Street, including the critical American interest in a two-state solution and the right of American Jews to criticize Israeli policies. The guide provides background on JStreet positions with quotes from American, Israeli and Palestinian leaders, as well as relevant polling and statistics and commentary from notable journalists and experts.

JStreet Asks Birthright for Balance

J Street U National Political Advocacy Co-Chair Hannah Fishman notes that “if the [Birthright] organization truly cares to build lasting ties between Israel and the Diaspora community, Birthright must invite young American Jews to engage with Israel’s full political reality, rather than avoiding it or—as the case is currently—masking a far-right political agenda as not political at all. If the essence of Zionism is that the Jewish people should have a place where they can shape their own future, removing or simplifying the politics of Israel during Birthright is tantamount to basic educational negligence. Only when Birthright embraces Israeli politics in all its complexity and divisiveness will they serve the essence of the Zionist dream.”