A Holocaust survivor who dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of other survivors is today being remembered as "a towering figure".

Noach Flug, who died today in Jerusalem at the age of 86, was deported from the Lodz ghetto in Poland as a teenager. He was sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, then to a succession of camps before he hi was liberated by US soldiers in 1945.

More than 100 of his relatives were murdered in the Holocaust. Mr Flug moved to Israel and worked as a diplomat, but after he retired devoted his efforts to issues such as restitution and the welfare of other survivors.

He served as the president of the International Auschwitz Committee and for nine year led the centre of Holocaust Survivors in Israel. He was also on the board of Yad Vashem and as a member of the Claims Conference played a part in efforts to restitute property looted from Jews during the Holocaust.

World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder said he was a "an extraordinary figure. Despite the terrible suffering he endured during Holocaust, and the loss of most of his family, Noach still found the strength, dignity and determination to lead the fight for compensation, restitution and, above all, for justice.

"Noach will be sorely missed, but his memory will always serve as an inspiration."

A spokesman for the Centre of Organisations of Holocaust Survivors in Israel added that he was a man of integrity and a leader. "He worked day and night in Israel and around the world for the good of his fellow survivors."