Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit is considering appearing in person in the Tel Aviv District Court in a petition against the Zollman's auction house in an attempt to prevent the sale of Nazi stamps used to tattoo prisoners in the Auschwitz extermination camp, Israel Today has learned.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed this and noted that "the possibility of the attorney general appearing in the proceedings is currently being examined."
About a week ago, it was reported in "Israel Hayom" that the Zolman's auction house in Jerusalem was offering stamps for sale in which the Nazis tattooed prisoners in Auschwitz.
These are rare stamps, which as far as is known have only two other collections - in the museum in St. Petersburg and in the museum in Auschwitz.
After the publication, a storm arose, and the district court issued a temporary restraining order for the sale of the stamps, which were to be sold today (Tuesday), following a request from the Center for Holocaust Survivors' Organizations.
At the first hearing on the subject, to be held on November 16, the judge will address the question of whether any proprietary, physical or contractual action on the object should be prohibited.
The petition, filed against the auction house, the seller, who remained anonymous as well as the Custodian General and the Attorney General.
"The mind does not give in light of the thought that someone is willing for greed to trade in the historical item," the petitioners argued.
"Israel Today" has learned that very senior government officials are involved in the affair, but they are facing a broken trough - on the one hand there is a problem interfering with a sale made in a private body, but on the other hand there is grave concern about creating a Nazi souvenir market in Israel.
In parallel with the legal discussions, efforts are being made to prevent the sale of the item at the auction house.
Nathaniel Isaac, director general of the Jerusalem and Heritage Ministry, recently wrote an urgent letter to the owner of the Zollman's auction house, Meir Zollman, urging him to transfer the item to the Yad Vashem Museum. Outrageous and shocking to all who know about it.
An auction of these items is an invitation to create an economic market for antisemitic atrocities. "Get Isaac." The proper place of this item is in the Yad Vashem National Institution established to commemorate the Holocaust. "
"Disgraceful sale."
Nathaniel Isaac,
Isaac told "Israel Today" that in his eyes this is a problematic auction that could open the market for such items in Israel.
"The horrors of the Holocaust and the means used by the Nazis to exterminate six million Jews in World War II can not be priced and their place is not in auctions but in the Yad Vashem National Institution to commemorate the Holocaust. The sales cancel this despicable auction. "
