Lebanese Jewish History Emerges Amidst Regional Shifts

A recent surge in research and reporting on the history of Lebanon's Jewish community has brought to light a complex past, marked by integration, migration, and a surprising demographic increase following the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. The article begins with an anecdote about "Hajj Ali," a man from a village in the Galilee who, on his deathbed, revealed he was Jewish, originating from Sidon, Lebanon. This story serves as a prelude to a broader discussion of Jewish presence in Lebanon, which historically was part of the fabric of Arab cities before 1948.

Jewish communities were concentrated in Beirut, Sidon, and Tripoli, each with its own Jewish quarter. While the last Jewish home in Sidon closed in 1985, there are reports that some Jews may still secretly reside in Tripoli. Historically, Jewish communities also existed in rural mountainous areas like Bhamdoun and Deir al-Qamar, but the civil wars of the mid-19th century, particularly the 1860 conflict between Maronites and Druze, pushed many Jews to coastal cities, especially Beirut.

Contrary to the general decline of Jewish populations in Arab countries after 1948, Lebanon saw its Jewish population nearly double. This was partly due to an influx of Jews from Iraq, Syria, and Iran, who sought refuge in Lebanon, viewing it as a haven. By the early 1950s, Lebanon's Jewish population was estimated at around 15,000, up from approximately 6,000 before 1948. Despite this demographic shift, the Jewish community remained largely invisible in Lebanese political and cultural life, with scant mention in literature concerning Lebanon's sectarian conflicts.

The article notes a scarcity of literature on Lebanese Jews, especially in Arabic and Hebrew, compared to other Arab Jewish communities. Recent publications, such as Kristen E. Schultz's "Jews of Lebanon Between Coexistence and Conflict" and Nada Abd al-Samad's "Wadi Abu Jamil: Stories of Beirut's Jews," are highlighted as efforts to revive this history. Abd al-Samad's work focuses on Beirut's Jewish quarter, exploring social life, professions, and the community's eventual emigration, particularly during the Lebanese Civil War.

Several factors are suggested for the recent renewed interest in Lebanese Jewish history. These include Israel's war against Hezbollah, which has spurred attempts to revive historical Jewish claims in border areas; political changes in Syria, which have brought the question of Syrian Jews to the forefront and influenced Lebanon; and the desire of some Lebanese political and social forces to normalize relations with Israel, using historical Jewish ties as a potential justification.