The few dozen Iowans who are Holocaust survivors may be getting a tax break from the state of Iowa. A bill which has cleared the Iowa House and awaits Senate action would let Holocaust survivors keep all of the payments they may receive from Germany — tax free. The Germans are set to pay some of the Jews in World War Two concentration camps who were forced to work for German businesses. Seventy-three-year-old David Fishel lives in the Des Moines suburb of Windsor Heights.Fishel was a seventh grader when he went into the concentration camp, where his mother, sister and brother died. Fishel worked for three-and-a-half years in the camp, and now he will be paid back-wages, plus interest. Fishel says the money, though, is a secondary thing for him. He says a government like the Germans needs to be taught a lesson by making them pay for their crimes.Three years ago, Fishel tried to sue the German government, but was told American courts had no jurisdiction. So, Fishel says it’s only right that Iowa’s government is not allowed to tax his restitution.
