Documenting a Diplomatic Rescuer

Some, but not all, diplomats were protected by diplomatic immunity.  To be recognized by ISRAH, it is not necessary that the diplomat rescuer was in physical danger.  It was important that the diplomatic rescuer took the initiative to help Jews in danger of arrest or deportation.

Diplomats who helped Jews generally issued visas, transit visas, exit visas, entry visas, passports, affidavits, and passport stamps to refugees seeking to leave Nazi-occupied or -controlled territories.  The papers issued by diplomats were used to escape from the Nazis.  Papers issued were not necessarily for the destination marked on passports or visas.  Oftentimes, visas or documents were used merely as a ruse to escape or transit through Nazi-occupied or -controlled zones.  Diplomats issued these documents to more than just a few individuals, and to individuals whom they did not know.

Not all diplomats issued documentation to help Jews escape the Nazis.  Many diplomats prevented Jews from being arrested or deported.  This was the case of Italian diplomats in Yugoslavia, Croatia, Greece and southern France.

In other cases, in addition to issuing visas, diplomats provided substantive and sustained relief and places of hiding for Jews.  This is particular in the case in Budapest.  There, diplomats provided housing, food, medical supplies, as well as direct protection from arrest and deportation.  In Budapest, Jews were issued protective passes that were meant to prevent Jews from physically being arrested by Nazis or Arrow Cross.

When writing your personal or family testimony, please provide evidence of each of the following, if applicable.

1. The diplomat rescuer extended aid to a Jew or Jews in danger of being killed or sent to a concentration camp, thus ensuring their survival.
2. The diplomat rescuer was fully aware that by doing this he or she may have risked career, position, prestige, personal safety or even his or her own life.
3. The diplomat rescuer's role was active; the diplomat acted on his or her own initiative, was directly involved and personally responsible, and in effect "caused" a rescue that would not otherwise have taken place.
4. The act of rescue or aid can be authenticated by evidence provided by the rescued persons or by other eyewitnesses and, whenever possible, by relevant bona-fide documentation (e.g., original passports, visas, affidavits, correspondence or other documents, or photographs).

Here are examples of information that would be helpful:

1. How the original contact was made between diplomat rescuer and rescued, e.g., did the diplomat approach the family to be saved, or did the family request visas at an embassy, consulate or legation?  Did more than one diplomat help you escape the Nazis?  If so, please prepare a separate document with this complete questionnaire.
2. What country did the diplomat represent?  Was the diplomat an Ambassador, Consul General, Consul, or other official?  Do you know if he or she was an honorary consul? 
3. Where was the consulate located?  Was it in Nazi-occupied territory, a Nazi satellite territory, or Nazi-controlled territory?  What were the conditions for your family?  Did you have resources, money or food to sustain you during the waiting period? 
4. How many people were aided by the diplomatic rescue?  Please include the names, ages and family relationships.  Were any of the members of your family Jewish?
5. What was the date that your family received protection from a diplomat?
6. Was there an active deportation, arrests, or roundup of Jews?  Were Nuremberg-style anti-Jewish laws in effect at the time that you received the visas?  Were there curfews or restrictions on your movements?
7. Specifically, what documents were provided by the diplomatic rescuer (e.g., passports, transit visas, exit visas, entry visas, affidavits in lieu of passport)?  What was the destination marked on your passport or visa?
8. Did the diplomatic rescuer offer any additional forms of aid, e.g., contact with underground, with smugglers, or with rescue and relief organizations?
9. Did the diplomatic rescuer coordinate directly with other diplomats or rescue and relief agencies?
10. To your knowledge, was the documentation provided to you in any way altered or changed to protect you or your family?
11. Did the diplomatic rescuer offer to hide you or provide you with any form of relief or funds?
12. Were there other people getting diplomatic papers and documents at the time that you received yours?  Were there long lines in front of the embassy, legation or consulate?
13. Did getting diplomatic papers get you or a member of your family out of a concentration camp?
14. Where did your family go after leaving the area of the embassy, legation or consulate?  Please outline your journey to the point when you reached safety.  Did your family go to the US, Canada, Palestine, South America, Australia, etc.?
15. Did you or your family have personal contact with the diplomatic rescuer where you discussed your situation?
16. Did you or your family have contact with your diplomat rescuer after the war?

The following are things that would be nice to add to your testimony. 

1. How many descendants of the original visa recipient(s) are there in your family?
2. What contributions have members of your family made to society?  Did you or any members of your family make any special contributions in sciences, arts, culture, business, etc.?

Note: The foregoing list was adapted from Yad Vashem recognition criteria.

Your nomination will be documented in perpetuity the Visas for Life Project.

Perhaps you might think about conducting an extensive oral history with surviving family members who received diplomatic aid.  We would love to get a copy of this oral history, as we are preparing a history of diplomatic rescue during the war.  Perhaps your family's story could be represented in this book.

Lastly, we will provide a copy of your testimony to the descendants of the diplomatic rescuers.  The Visas for Life Project is presently in contact with more than 50 families of diplomatic rescuers.  These families are gratified and pleased to hear from Jewish families who were saved.

If you need any help or have questions, feel free to contact the Visas for Life Project.