Syrian Jews in Diaspora Pressure for Easing Sanctions on Damascus
Despite Israeli opposition and Jewish groups, some Syrian Jews seek to ease sanctions imposed on Syria to help rebuild the country, reflecting a different stance toward the new Syrian government
April 7, 2025, 12:15 am

Syrian Jews in Diaspora Pressure for Easing Sanctions on Damascus

The New York Times highlighted efforts by a group of Jews who left Syria decades ago, led by Henry Hamra, to ease sanctions imposed on the new Syrian government.

Hamra, who left Damascus as a teenager, recently returned with his father, Rabbi Yosef Hamra, and several other Jews to Syria in a historic visit, after more than thirty years in exile.

This came at a sensitive time, as these Jews seek to highlight the damage to Jewish heritage sites in Syria due to the civil war and international sanctions.

The visit, coordinated with the new Syrian government led by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, was an opportunity for them to reconnect with their roots, but was filled with bitterness after discovering the extent of destruction that befell the sites they had hoped to see intact.

In his talks with American lawmakers, Hamra said: "It was my dream to return, but Syria needs a lot of support, and sanctions are what's hindering that."

Coinciding with the visit, the Hamra family worked to coordinate efforts with Syrian-American lobbying groups to demand easing sanctions, expressing their support for the new Syrian authorities, despite strong opposition from Israel and some other Jewish groups.

Spokespersons for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) emphasized the need for evidence of continued positive behavior from the Syrian government before taking any steps to ease sanctions.

In the same context, discussions were held with some American lawmakers, such as Representative Joe Wilson and Senator Elizabeth Warren, who expressed their support for lifting sanctions to allow for Syria's reconstruction. Nevertheless, Israel remains cautious toward the new Syrian government.

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