Henry Hamra, who left Damascus as a teenager over 30 years ago, expressed his long-standing desire to return home during a meeting with lawmakers in Washington. In February, following the ousting of the Assad regime, Hamra and his father, Rabbi Yosef Hamra, returned to Syria with other Jews to visit significant sites of Syrian Jewish history, facilitated by the new government led by President Ahmed al-Shara.
While the visit was filled with hope, it also revealed the devastating impact of 14 years of civil war and stringent financial sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other nations on Syria. Hamra noted that many historical sites, such as the ancient Jobar synagogue and a cemetery for a notable 16th-century mystic, are in a state of disrepair or have been destroyed.
In discussions with Representative Jimmy Panetta, a Democrat from California, Hamra stated that the sanctions are a significant barrier to the restoration of these sites and the country’s recovery. The Hamra family, prominent in Brooklyn’s Syrian Jewish community, has collaborated with Syrian American advocacy groups to lobby for the lifting of these sanctions.
Marshall Whittman, a spokesperson for a pro-Israel lobbying group, emphasized that any policy change should be contingent on the new Syrian government's demonstration of positive behavior. Israel remains cautious of al-Shara, a former Al Qaeda member, and has increased military presence in southern Syria, conducting numerous airstrikes, which Syria has condemned as attempts to destabilize the nation.
Mouaz Moustafa, who leads the Syria Emergency Task Force, noted that the Jewish delegation's visit was expected to attract interest due to the unexpected support from Jewish representatives for the new government. Hamra voiced concerns that without sanctions relief, Syria's recovery and the preservation of its Jewish history would remain unattainable.
Currently, fewer than 10 Jews are believed to reside in Syria, a drastic decline from the tens of thousands a century ago. Historical patterns show that Syrian Jewish communities thrived under various empires, but hostility following Israel's establishment in 1948 led to mass emigration and restrictions on travel.
The Hamras have been actively meeting with U.S. officials, including members of the National Security Council and the State Department, to advocate for sanctions relief. A State Department spokesperson confirmed these meetings took place, although the White House did not provide comments.
Maissa Kabbani, a Syrian Muslim asylum seeker in the U.S., joined the Jewish delegation, viewing the visit as a chance to demonstrate the potential for pluralism under the new regime. The Syrian Foreign Ministry welcomed the delegation and provided support during their visit.
While immediate sanctions relief appears unlikely, bipartisan discussions are ongoing among lawmakers advocating for a reassessment of the sanctions that are seen as counterproductive to U.S. national security interests and the reconstruction of Syria. Representative Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, expressed optimism after meeting with the Hamras, suggesting that positive change is possible.
Wilson later highlighted the importance of easing sanctions to provide opportunities for the Syrian people to thrive.