James Snyder, director of Israel museumm, said, "Our feeling about them is that our job is to hold them in custody in a way as a kind of memorial to their loss and when the opportunity arises to return a work, we are happy to do so."

The institution has also launched an Internet database of all the looted art in its storerooms.

The Israel Museum says that over the years it has returned some 20 pieces to owners or heirs.

Experts say anywhere between 250,000 to 600,000 pieces of art looted by the Nazis were never claimed and are in the possession of museums, governments and private collectors.

(CCTV.com February 23, 2008)