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Lawee Family Sues France for $22 Million Over Embassy Mansion

1/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Lawee family sues the French government for $22 million over a Baghdad mansion used as France's embassy since 1965 without rent.
They say France benefited from an Iraqi law that dispossessed Jewish owners and abandoned its contract.
Mayer Lawee, 86, says his father would be disappointed to lose the home.
A Paris hearing will address contractual obligations and human rights, reflecting plight of Iraqi Jews who left after 1948.

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Story summary

The Lawee family sues the French government for $22 million over a Baghdad mansion used as France's embassy since 1965 without rent.
They say France benefited from an Iraqi law that dispossessed Jewish owners and abandoned its contract.
Mayer Lawee, 86, says his father would be disappointed to lose the home.
A Paris hearing will address contractual obligations and human rights, reflecting plight of Iraqi Jews who left after 1948.