They were internment camps initially, however, there is little real “debate” in credible historical circles regarding what they became…
As for the thread topic, I heard long ago that it was actually Mossad that did much of the leg work in tracking down the Nazi war criminals and that Wiesenthal got much of the credit…
Why would Mossad not want to take credit? Were they trying to establish Wiesenthal as a propaganda tool?
As in Rags-to-Riches except he was created as a Concentration-Camp-to-Nazi-Hunter?
I’m not sure. I think Mossad may have used him as a front to keep their trade-craft and hand quiet…
Possibly because they are inextricably linked.
Here’s what the Simon Wiesanthal Center says it is:
An international Jewish human rights organization dedicated to generating change through the Snider Social Action Institute and education by confronting antisemitism, hate and terrorism, promoting human rights and dignity, standing with Israel, …
http://www.wiesenthal.com/site/pp.asp?c=lsKWLbPJLnF&b=4441471
It appears they rarely did, as summarised in this review of the book whose author is quoted in the first post.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookreviews/5940232/Hunting-Evil-by-Guy-Walters-review.html