Rijswijk clears municipal role in wartime Jewish property sales after investigation
A recent investigation reveals Rijswijk’s municipality had no involvement in the expropriation or sale of Jewish properties during WWII. Legal redress was confirmed for all examined cases, offering clarity to descendants and the community about this painful chapter in local history.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Investigation Focus | Role of Rijswijk municipality in Jewish property sales during/after WWII |
| Outcome | No involvement in expropriation or sales; legal redress occurred post-war |
| Report Title | The attitude of the municipality of Rijswijk towards the handling of Jewish movable property |
| Researcher | Anton van Renssen |
| Presented to | Alderman Mark Wit and the college of mayor and aldermen of Rijswijk |
| Motion Adopted | May 23, 2024 |
| Report Publication Date | February 27, 2026 |
The municipality of Rijswijk initiated this investigation to address historical accountability and transparency regarding its actions during WWII. Local governments in the Netherlands often conduct such inquiries to acknowledge past injustices and provide closure to affected communities.
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Read the full translated article below
Investigation into the sale of Jewish property
On May 23, 2024, the Rijswijk municipal council adopted the motion “Investigation into looted Jewish real estate in Rijswijk during the Second World War.” The council wanted to investigate what role the municipality had played in the purchase and sale of Jewish property during and after the Second World War. The investigation shows that the municipality of Rijswijk was not involved in the expropriation or sale of Jewish properties. It also shows that in all the Jewish homes sold during the war that were examined, legal redress took place after the war.
Independent investigation
The independent investigation looked at whether the municipality was involved in the confiscation, purchase, or sale of homes belonging to Jewish residents during the war. It also examined whether legal redress took place after the war. This means that it was investigated whether the injustice was rectified. In addition, it was examined whether Jewish survivors or their families still had to pay ground rent or taxes on these homes after the war.
Presentation of the report
Today, the report “The attitude of the municipality of Rijswijk towards the handling of Jewish movable property during and after the Second World War” was presented to the college of mayor and aldermen of Rijswijk. The report was handed over to alderman Mark Wit by researcher Anton van Renssen, together with the advisory committee.
“The Second World War caused a great deal of sorrow and suffering for Jewish residents and their families. I would like to thank the researcher and the advisory committee for their careful and respectful work. This investigation helps us to better understand this difficult period in the history of Rijswijk. It also shows how important openness and clarity are.”
Mark Wit