British spy who saved 10,000 Jews named as ‘Righteous Among Nations

LONDON, Feb. 28 (JTA) — The Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem has given the title of “Righteous Among Nations” to a wartime British spy who helped save at least 10,000 Jews. The call to recognize Frank Foley posthumously was made by Britain’s Holocaust Educational Trust after the publication of a book, “Foley: the Spy Who Saved 10,000 Jews,” about his exploits, which included hiding in his home Jews hunted by the Gestapo, helping people find false passports and even visiting concentration camps to rescue other Nazi victims. Foley, a senior British intelligence officer in Germany in the years leading up to World War II, was head of the British Passport Office in Berlin. Foley did not have diplomatic immunity and could have been arrested at any time for his activity, much of which was conducted without authorization from his superiors back home. A Yad Vashem official said Foley’s efforts had been known for years, but he could not be officially recognized because the museum had no eyewitness accounts of his actions. British Jewish leader Lord Janner, the chairman of the Holocaust Educational Trust, welcomed the decision. Foley’s niece, Patricia Dunstan, said the family was very proud: “I think it is absolutely marvelous that he has been given the award. He certainly deserved it.”