According to an interesting Fox News article, a medieval manuscript, known as the Bird’s Head Haggadah, is at the center of a bitter dispute that pits Israel’s top museum against the grandchildren of Holocaust victims.

Stolen during the Nazi era and sold without their consent, the family is demanding the museum pay compensation or face a lawsuit. They do not object to its being on display, however, suggesting that a compromise could take place.

Due to the extremely unique nature of the document, the museum is stalling. Written in southern Germany around 1300, the Bird’s Head has long been a riddle. Much of the enigma surrounds its strange illustrations of Jewish figures (possibly griffins, a beloved mythical creature, that were meant to offer a positive representation of Jews while skirting a biblical prohibition against depicting human likenesses).

While I truly sympathize with the family, their demands are somewhat dubious. Why are they coming forward now, having been aware of its existence for decades? Plus, it will be difficult to prove any wrongdoing on the museum’s part, especially when they’re known for housing the cultural artifacts of Holocaust victims.

Who do you think should have ownership, the family or the museum?