Legislators in California are set to introduce a bill on Thursday aimed at aiding Holocaust survivors, their descendants, and other victims in recovering artwork and property stolen from them due to political persecution.
Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), co-chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and the lead sponsor of the bill, was inspired by a recent ruling from the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. The ruling found that current California law prevented the return of an Impressionist masterpiece looted from a Jewish woman by the Nazis in 1939 to her family in the U.S.
Gabriel stated, “It immediately made sense to me that this was a unique opportunity to correct a historical injustice and make sure that something like this doesn’t happen again.” He believes the bill will ensure better legal outcomes for families in California who have experienced politically motivated thefts.
The bipartisan legislative effort is the latest development in a long legal battle over the Camille Pissarro masterpiece “Rue Saint-Honoré in the Afternoon. Effect of Rain.” The bill aims to address issues related to Nazi-looted art and correct injustices faced by victims and their heirs.
David Cassirer, whose great-grandmother had the painting stolen during World War II, supports the legislative effort and hopes it will aid in recovering stolen artwork. Thaddeus Stauber, an attorney for the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid, did not comment on the matter.
The painting was stolen from Lilly Cassirer Neubauer in 1939 as part of a Nazi program to confiscate Jewish wealth. Despite the theft, the museum argues that it acquired proper title to the painting under Spanish law when it purchased it in 1993.
The bill aims to ensure that in cases involving property stolen by the Nazis or due to political persecution, California law dictates that the property should be returned. If passed, the bill could take effect on January 1 and apply to ongoing legal cases up to those on appeal before the Supreme Court.
Sam Dubbin, an attorney for the Cassirer family, commended Assemblyman Gabriel’s efforts to update California’s laws. Gabriel is optimistic about the bill’s widespread support and has co-sponsors from both political parties.
Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, a granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who served as U.S. ambassador to Hungary, are also backing the measure. Kounalakis emphasized the moral courage in returning confiscated property to Jewish families.
Gabriel expressed his disappointment in Spain’s government for not voluntarily returning the painting to the Cassirer family, emphasizing that the issue is about morality and justice, not money.
