Syrian Jew Recounts Persecution, Including Tefillin Burning and Beatings
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Dayan Haddad, a Syrian Jew, recounted his life in Syria, detailing initial good relations with Arab neighbors that soured into severe persecution after 1947. He described incidents of property confiscation, his own arrest and beating after the Six-Day War, and the burning of tefillin in a synagogue. Haddad also shared stories of Arab solidarity and his father's past friendship with a Syrian president, noting the increased danger after the capture of Israeli spy Eli Cohen. He detailed perilous escape attempts and subsequent integration challenges in Israel.
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- Syrian Jew Dayan Haddad described severe persecution including tefillin burning and beatings.
- Jewish life in Syria began harmoniously but deteriorated significantly after 1947.
- Haddad was personally targeted and beaten due to his name matching Moshe Dayan's.
- Arab solidarity was noted, with one sheikh defending Haddad's family.
- Haddad's father had a past friendship with former Syrian President Amin al-Hafiz.
- Escape from Syria was perilous, with some shot by border guards.
- Haddad faced integration challenges after arriving in Israel.
Dayan Haddad, a Syrian Jew born in Qamishli in 1951, shared his experiences of Jewish life in Syria, including periods of good relations with Arab neighbors followed by severe persecution. Initially, Haddad described a harmonious coexistence where Jewish merchants were respected and integrated into the local economy, with markets closing on Saturdays. However, following the UN partition plan in 1947 and the establishment of Israel, the situation for Syrian Jews deteriorated significantly, leading to restrictions, job losses, property damage, and widespread fear.
Haddad recounted specific instances of persecution, particularly after the Six-Day War. He described his father being attacked and subsequently arrested with him by Syrian police. During this period, security forces allegedly burned tefillin left by worshippers in a local synagogue. Haddad also detailed personal suffering, including being beaten and subjected to multiple surgeries after security forces targeted him due to his name, which was the same as then-Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dayan.
Despite the oppressive regime, Haddad noted instances of Arab solidarity, mentioning an Arab sheikh named Da'am al-Hadi who intervened on behalf of his family, stating, "These Jews are part of us." Haddad also revealed that his father had maintained a friendship with former Syrian President Amin al-Hafiz, even meeting with him and other Jewish community representatives. However, after the capture of Israeli spy Eli Cohen, these connections became dangerous, and the president could no longer offer protection.
Haddad described the perilous attempts by Jews to flee Syria, often through the Turkish border, facing risks of being shot by border guards. He himself was interrogated by Syrian intelligence on suspicion of aiding Jewish emigration to Israel. Upon learning that emigration was permitted, he felt an urgent desire to escape. Even after arriving in Israel, Haddad faced challenges with integration and ensuring his children received a proper education.
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