The municipality of Meppel facilitated the robbery and sale of Jewish properties during and after the Second World War. This is apparent from research by the Drents Archive. Like most municipalities, Meppel played no role in the restoration of rights to Jewish property and there is no indication of support for Jewish residents in particular. The investigation shows that the municipality itself has not purchased any Jewish properties.
Also in Meppel, many Jewish houses are said to have been sold at friendly prices, said party chairman Jeannet Bos at the time. “The records of this housing trade describe in detail how more than 7,000 properties came into the hands of mostly shady entrepreneurs and real estate traders.”
That indeed turns out to be the case. According to the Drents Archief, 73 of the 154 parcels in Jewish possession were robbed by the occupying forces and forcibly sold during the occupation. Although the municipality itself was not involved in the forced sale, the municipality has facilitated this. For example, information was supplied to the occupier when requested to do so or the implementation of regulations of the occupier was monitored.
Research shows that there are no indications that the municipality has tried to prevent the passage of anti-Jewish property ordinances and anti-Jewish measures in general.
A separate body was set up after the war to restore legal relations from the robbery and forced sale. Local municipalities had no influence on this. Of all 73 plots of Jewish owners sold in Meppel during the war, 69 were eventually returned to the original owner or heir(s) through restoration of rights.
During the war, the Jewish community in Meppel was virtually wiped out. Only dozens survived the war. After the liberation, Jews in the Netherlands found themselves in a socially vulnerable position. They received little understanding from society and little attention from the government. This was no different in Meppel. The municipality did not break any rules and committed itself to the reconstruction of Meppel, but at the same time there is no indication of support for the Jewish inhabitants in particular.
“From the situation in which we now live, it is inappropriate how our municipality treated people at the time. I look back on an unfeeling government,” Mayor Richard Korteland said in a response. “This investigation provides us with clarity about the actions of the municipality at the time. It shows that the municipality did not proactively help the occupier and there is no evidence that the municipality has imposed fines or additional assessments (which fell outside the Recovery Act) on Jewish homeowners. , heirs or administrators.”
“However, the investigation also shows that Meppel has facilitated the occupier by providing requested information or executing regulations,” the mayor continues. “It is important that we include the results of the research in our commemorations.” The report will also be used in schools to teach children about the past.