The Truth about Syrian Jewry Today, in Syria and Elsewhere

Jan. 14 2025

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, a number of reports have appeared about the status of the country’s remaining Jewish sites, and of its very few remaining Jews. Many have been misleading or worse, writes Lyn Julius:

We now know that only nine Jews live in the entire country, the community having been the victims of a most successful ethnic cleansing. Sometimes, the numbers are exaggerated: the BBC reporter Lyse Doucet thought that the Jewish quarter of Damascus was full of Jews—when, in reality, none has been there for 30 years.

Media reports are also guilty of whitewashing anti-Semitism in Syria in order to blame the creation of Israel for the flight of most Jews. The majority had already left Syria by the time Israel was established; . . . the rise of pro-Nazi sentiment in Syria throughout the 1930s, and the Aleppo anti-Jewish riots before Israel’s establishment, caused all but a small number to leave the city.

There are thousands today, however, in Israel and the diaspora, who consider themselves Syrian (or Aleppan) Jews, not for any love for their former homeland, but because they have maintained the distinctive local customs of their ancestors. One such Jew, Joseph Dweck, now Great Britain’s leading Sephardi rabbi, shares his personal reflections:

My family first came to the eastern shores of the United States in 1901, seeking better economic opportunity after the opening of the Suez Canal diverted major trade routes away from Aleppo, which led to a decline in commerce. But they arrived on those shores with a robust culture and tradition that they faithfully instilled in their descendants. It is only due to their strong commitment to its preservation that it continues to live within me to this day. . . . Aram Soba, as it is known in Hebrew, produced renown rabbis, exquisite liturgical poetry, and delectable cuisine.

I cannot help but reflect on what has been lost: a cultural and historical tapestry that prominently includes the Jewish presence. Yet I also know that a large part of that legacy lives on, preserved in Jewish memory and practice. For centuries, the Jewish people lived as guests among other nations, always aware that our presence was temporary, our security fragile. The existence of the state of Israel has transformed that reality.

But Israel’s importance extends beyond its role as a refuge. It represents the culmination of our journey as a people who have wrestled with exile and have come home stronger and wiser.

Read more at Jewish Chronicle

More about: Diaspora, Syrian civil war, Syrian Jewry

Kuwait Should Be the Next Country to Make Peace with Israel

Feb. 13 2025

Like his predecessor, Donald Trump seeks to expand the Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia. But there are other Arab nations that might consider taking such a step. Ahmad Charai points to Kuwait—home to the Middle East’s largest U.S. army base and desperately in need of economic reform—as a good candidate. Kuwaitis haven’t forgiven Palestinians for supporting Saddam Hussein during his 1990 invasion, but their country has been more rhetorically hostile to Israel than its Gulf neighbors:

The Abraham Accords have reshaped Middle Eastern diplomacy. . . . Kuwait, however, remains hesitant due to internal political resistance. While full normalization may not be immediately feasible, the United States should encourage Kuwait to take gradual steps toward engagement, emphasizing how participation in regional cooperation does not equate to abandoning its historical positions.

Kuwait could use its influence to push for peace in the Middle East through diplomatic channels opened by engagement rather than isolation. The economic benefits of joining the broader framework of the Abraham Accords are overwhelming. Israel’s leadership in technology, agriculture, and water management presents valuable opportunities for Kuwait to enhance its infrastructure. Trade and investment flows would diversify the economy, providing new markets and business partnerships.

Kuwaiti youth, who are increasingly looking for opportunities beyond the public sector, could benefit from collaboration with advanced industries, fostering job creation and entrepreneurial growth. The UAE and Bahrain have already demonstrated how normalization with Israel can drive economic expansion while maintaining their respective geopolitical identities.

Read more at Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

More about: Abraham Accords, Kuwait