2 Syrian Jewish ‘assassins’ Were Outstanding Members of Community

The Committee of Concern, a non-sectarian group seeking to alleviate the plight of minorities in Arab countries, today expressed fear that the arrest of two Jews in connection with the recent murder of four young Syrian Jewish women was an attempt to distract attention from Syrian persecution of Jews. “We fear that these two Jewish young men, who were known to the Syrian authorities, are being utilized as scapegoats by the Syrians in order to divert world attention from the plight of the Jewish community,” the Committee stated.

The Committee of Concern, headed by Gen. Lucius D. Clay (U.S. Army Ret.), called on the Syrian authorities to grant Jews in that country full freedom, including the right to emigrate. Persons who know Yussef Shaluh and Azur Zalta, the Jews alleged by the authorities to be part of a band of four smuggler-assassins who had “confessed” to robbing and then killing the women, were incredulous at the charges, the Committee stated.

It noted that the two Jews “are both outstanding members of the Jewish community, known for their devotion to the welfare of their harassed brethren. For example, both Shaluh and Zalta regularly visited Jewish prisoners and brought them food. Shaluh, the alleged ringleader of this murderous band, had also intervened on various occasions with the Muhabarat, the Syrian secret police controlling Jewish affairs, on behalf of Jewish prisoners. It is thus highly inconceivable that these devoted members of the Jewish community would murder four of their fellow Jews.”

Continuing the Committee stated: “In view of the suspicious circumstances surrounding this incident and past evidence of ‘confessions’ extracted under torture, we call upon the Syrian authorities to assure that the alleged criminals be furnished with defense counsel of their choosing, and given a prompt and open trial.”