German Retailer To Drop Cases Against Jewish Family Wertheim Over Land Lost To Nazis

BERLIN - German retailer KarstadtQuelle AG said Thursday it is dropping three lawsuits against a Jewish family in a dispute over Berlin properties seized during the Nazi era and now worth more than $117 million US.
The Jewish Claims Conference, which is representing the heirs of the Wertheim family in the case, called the decision a "long-delayed victory for justice and a victory for history."
"Karstadt needs to now accept responsibility for the remaining cases," said Gideon Taylor, claims conference executive vice-president, in an e-mailed statement. "It is time for these issues to be finalized so that this sad chapter can be closed."
The family claims ownership of property in Berlin worth more than $200 million.