Torah Scroll Fragment Looted by Nazis Sold at Oslo Auction, Sparking Outrage
An ancient Torah scroll fragment looted by the SS during the Holocaust was sold at an Oslo auction for $8,500, sparking sharp diplomatic outrage from Israel.
An ancient Torah scroll fragment looted by Nazi SS soldiers during the Holocaust and sent to Germany as a souvenir was auctioned off in Oslo for $8,500. This sum exceeded pre-auction estimates by more than fourfold.
The event at Valkyrie Historical Auctions in Norway's capital sparked a fierce diplomatic uproar. Israel's Foreign Ministry issued a sharp condemnation, while Jewish organizations urged the Norwegian government to intervene immediately.
A Sacrilegious Souvenir
According to the auction catalog, the item is a hand-written calfskin scroll fragment damaged by fire. The grim historical reality is laid bare by its technical details: the parchment bears the military postal number of the SS unit that looted it and the exact address of the recipient in Germany.
For decades, the fragment's fate remained unknown until it resurfaced in the commercial market for Third Reich memorabilia.
"This sale vividly illustrates the crucial importance of ongoing international efforts to prevent the trafficking of Holocaust-era items," said Gideon Taylor, president of the WJRO.
International Outcry
The Israeli Foreign Ministry published a scathing protest under the title "Nazi celebration in Oslo," criticizing both the auction and reports that Norway might cut funding for student visits to concentration camps.
Gideon Taylor of the WJRO demanded immediate action from Norwegian authorities to identify the buyer and seller and secure the artifact's return, stressing that it rightfully belongs to the Jewish people.
