A “cautious note of hope” for Syrian Jews was voiced here today by Jacob Stein, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Stein stressed that his view was based on “minute” internal improvements, and that emigration efforts by Syrian Jews were still being stifled. The “discriminatory provisions in the Syrian laws preventing the right to emigrate,” he reported, have blocked family reunification “in many cases.”
Stein, citing information received in private diplomatic meetings, noted a relaxation in certain harsh restrictions against Syrian Jews, which he attributed to a desire by the 17-month-old government of President Hafez al-Assad, a 42-year-old lieutenant general, to improve Syria’s image in the West and possibly resume diplomatic relations with the United States. Stein said internal travel permits for Syrian Jews were still required, but were becoming easier to obtain; Jews have been allowed to travel internally beyond the previous three-mile limit; compensation has been pledged for a Jewish cemetery that was destroyed, and Syrian publications are increasingly emphasizing the positive aspects of Jewish life.
The Presidents Conference leader urged continued “Jewish pressure” on Syria, as “without the efforts of people and nations from all walks of life and political persuasions we could not report these small gains.”
Dr. George E. Gruen, Middle East Affairs director of the American Jewish Committee and Syrian Affairs coordinator of the Presidents Conference, said in a report to the latter’s 25 member agencies that about 20 Syrian Jews have been released from prison while three remain jailed on charges of allegedly trying to leave the country. The three are Nissim Katri, Joseph Swed and Isaac Faks. Also being held, according to Dr. Gruen and others, is Albert Elia, secretary general of Lebanon’s Jewish community, who was apparently kidnapped by Syrian agents last Sept. but whose detention has been denied by Syria. Syria’s Jewish community is based in Damascus (3000), Aleppo (1000) and Qamishli (350).
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
