France and U.S. Sign Bilateral Agreement on the Establishment of a Compensation Fund for Holocaust Victims Deported from France (November 1, 2015) [1]
On November 1, 2015, the Agreement on Compensation for Certain Victims of Holocaust-Related Deportation from France Who are not Covered by French Programs [3] (Agreement) between the U.S. and France entered into force. According to the press release [4], the Agreement was signed in December 2014, and “will supplement the programs established by France for reparation and compensation of the victims of anti-Semitic persecutions during the Holocaust.” The fund will be administered by the U.S., who will distribute the $60 million provided by France to eligible Americans, Israelis, and other victims not covered by the existing French programs. “In turn, the United States will ensure an enduring legal peace for France with regard to Holocaust deportation claims in the United States.” This news report [5] highlights the factual background to the Agreement, stating the fund aims at “compensat[ing] Holocaust victims deported by French state rail firm SNCF to Nazi death camps” and notes that SNFC has acknowledged guilt.