Syrian Government Aids Jewish Community, Says Community Head
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Bikur Simantov, head of Syria's Jewish community, stated the Syrian government is a major helper to Jews, providing security and facilitating visits, a significant improvement from the Assad era. He attributed the unrepaired ancient synagogue in Jobar to a lack of funding, not government opposition, and dismissed public anti-Israel sentiment as unrepresentative. Simantov expressed optimism for peace, noting many Syrians wish to work in Israel, though Jewish homes transferred after the Assad regime's fall remain unreturned.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Syrian Jewish community head Bikur Simantov says the government is the "greatest helper to Jews."
- Simantov contrasts current government assistance with severe restrictions under the previous Assad regime.
- The unrepaired ancient synagogue in Jobar is due to a lack of funds, not government opposition, says Simantov.
- Simantov dismisses public anti-Israel sentiment as unrepresentative of reality in Syria.
- Many Syrians want peace and to work in Israel, according to Simantov.
- Jewish homes transferred to citizens after the Assad regime's fall remain unreturned.
The head of the Jewish community in Syria, Bikur Simantov, stated in a recent interview that the Syrian government is the "greatest helper to Jews" and that the community faces no harassment. Simantov, speaking to Kan News, contrasted the current situation with the era of Bashar al-Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad, noting that "there is a big difference" and that he could not host foreign guests under the previous regime. He reported that the Syrian government assists visiting American Jews by providing security and facilitating their visits to sites like Jobar and the Jewish cemetery. "On the contrary, the government helps us, takes us and brings us back, and provides us with security," Simantov said.
Simantov addressed the controversy surrounding the ancient synagogue in the Jobar neighborhood of Damascus, which remains unrepaired. He explained that the extensive budget required for renovations is beyond the community's means, and while the government does not oppose the repairs, funding is lacking, and no one is donating. He clarified that the community has no connection to the residents of Jobar and that the delay in the neighborhood's reconstruction is a governmental issue, not related to the synagogue.
Regarding public opinion, Simantov dismissed anti-Israel sentiments seen on television as the views of a "small group" not representative of reality. He asserted that he moves freely throughout the country, is known to be Jewish, and is well-liked, with many Syrians expressing a desire for peace and the opportunity to work in Israel. He expressed significant optimism about peace prospects.
Following the fall of the Assad regime, dozens to over a hundred homes belonging to Jews who had left Syria were transferred to Syrian citizens with the Interior Ministry's approval. These homes have not yet been returned, causing concern among the remaining Jewish population. A year prior, a senior Jewish delegation visited Damascus, meeting with ministers and participating in prayer services, including a Torah reading at a synagogue, an event not seen in Syria for decades.