Rolf Bloch, a former president of the Swiss Jewish community and a key figure during the Holocaust asset discussions, died at the age of 84, Swissinfo.ch reported.
The businessman from Bern, who was at the helm of the family’s chocolate business Camille Bloch since 1954, served as the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG) from 1992 to 2000.
During that time of heated international debate on the role of Switzerland during WWII, he was closely involved in the World Jewih Congress-led negotiations with the Swiss banks and the Swiss authorities which led to the establishment of a $1.2 billion compensation fund for Holocaust victims in 1998.
Bloch chaired another fund set up by the Swiss Confederation which disbursed 300 million Swiss francs to Holocaust survivors in need.
He was known for his motto, “Justice for Jews and fairness towards Switzerland” – a position he defended at a hearing before a committee of the United States House of Representatives.
“Rolf Bloch was always a voice of reason. He was a thoughtful and witty man who was loath to grandstanding and who knew how to make things happen in his native Switzerland of which he was a proud citizen,’’ said WJC President Ronald Lauder.