Syria gives green light to restoration of Jewish property seized under previous regimes

Although there are thought to be fewer than ten Jews living in Syria today, the community has ancient roots and a storied history, and is thought to have been 100,000 strong at its peak in the early 20^th century. 

Henry Hamra (C) plans to work to return Jewish properties confiscated under previous Syrian governments (Picture: Getty)AFP via Getty Images

Pictures from the day show Hamra, whose father Yusuf is thought to have been the last rabbi to leave Syria, praying in the al-Franj Synagogue in the country’s capital, an especially poignant moment as his father once led the congregation there. 

The granting of the license appears to be part of a broader move by Syria’s president Ahmed al-Sharaa, who seized power last December after the Assad regime was toppled, to realign the country with the West. 

In November al-Sharaa – who once had a $10 million US bounty on his head as the leader of an Al Qaeda affiliate – made an unprecedented visit to Washington for meetings with President Trump and senior members of his administration.

One of the topics on the table was a security pact between Israel and Syria, which Washington is hoping to mediate. However, al-Sharaa told the Washington Post that there is a "good distance to go" before this could happen.