A rare interview that took place in recent days with Roy Kais of Kan News from the Syrian capital reveals the situation of the few Jews who remained in Damascus after the fall of the Assad regime.
A Jewish resident of Damascus said that despite the initial anarchy that accompanied the rise of the rebels to power, the Jewish community was not harmed. "I'm here, and no one enters the properties and synagogues of the Jews," he said.
Despite the Islamist orientation of the new regime, he expresses cautious optimism: "We are not afraid. The last few days I was walking down the street and one of the rebels said hello to me. Everything is routine. It may be better than it was."
The testimony comes at a significant time for the Jewish community in Damascus, which was once one of the most glorious in the Middle East. In September 2022, the head of the community, Albert Kamao, who was appointed to his position by the Assad regime in 2006, passed away. Today, only a few Jews remain in the city.
The Jewish resident notes that he was also satisfied under Assad's rule, but expresses hope that the new regime may promote peace with Israel, despite the current tension on the border.
According to Kais, rebel leader Ahmed al-Shara's remarks yesterday, which emphasize the need for stability and rebuilding across new conflicts, may signal a change in Syrian policy, although this will have to be tested over time.
