[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 14, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H4127-H4128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE OPPRESSION OF JEWS IN SYRIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Chocola). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to draw attention to 
the historic and continued oppression of Jews living in Syria. At the 
start of the 20th century, it is estimated that there were 
approximately 40,000 Jews living in Syria. However, by early 1947 only 
13,000 were left, with 20,000 having fled through the course of the 
previous decade as Nazi zeal permeated the region. Immediately after 
Syria gained independence from France in 1945, vitriolic anti-Semitic 
propaganda was broadcast on television and radio, inciting the Arab 
masses to violence. In December, 1947, 1 month after the Partition 
Plan's acceptance, a pogrom erupted in the Syrian town of Aleppo, 
torching numerous Jewish properties including synagogues, schools, 
orphanages, and businesses.
  A flurry of anti-Semitic legislation passed in 1948 restricted, among 
other things, Jewish travel outside of government-approved ghettos, the 
selling of private property, acquiring land or changing their place of 
residence. A decree in 1949 went a step further, seizing all Jewish 
bank accounts; and under threats of execution long prison sentences and 
torture, most Jews were able to depart between 1948 and 1962.
  Due mainly to U.S. influence in the context of the Madrid Peace 
Process, the majority of the members of the Syrian Jewish community 
have fled, with only about 1,000 still remaining. Most have chosen to 
settle here in the United States, including a sizable number in my 
district in New Jersey.
  Mr. Speaker, the situation for those few who remained has 
deteriorated dramatically over the last few decades. A report published 
in 1981 indicated Syrian Jews were subject to the Mukhabarat, the 
Syrian secret police, who conduct a reign of terror and intimidation, 
including searches without warrant, detention without trial, torture 
and summary execution.
  The few synagogues still open in Syria are considered by authorities 
as ``centers of sedition,'' with services held under surveillance. 
Nightly curfews have been established in Jewish communities, and Jews 
have been required to carry special identity cards.
  Jews are barred from employment in government offices, public bodies, 
or banks. Jews have been arbitrarily dismissed from jobs without 
compensation, and their licenses to conduct foreign trade have been 
revoked. Jews have been forbidden the ability to obtain driver's 
licenses or to even have telephones in the homes. The only exceptions 
have been for doctors and a handful of merchants that have been given 
preferential treatment. Syrians are officially advised not to buy in 
Jewish shops, and government and military personnel are expressly 
forbidden to even enter them.
  Mr. Speaker, the mail of Syrian Jews is even censored. I have been 
told by Jews here in the United States who still have family in Syria 
that the relatives request not to be sent any letter or message because 
they will face interrogation by the state police.
  Some would like to think that the number of Jews in Syria is 
insignificant compared with the millions who are oppressed elsewhere. 
However, the political implications of the thousands of scapegoats held 
captive in Syria are beyond comparison to their number.
  Syria is listed on the State Department's list of countries who 
harbor and support terrorism. Syria has proved to be a destabilizing 
force in the Middle East, continuing to develop and stockpile chemical 
weapons and the missiles to deliver them and remains the occupying 
power in Lebanon. Syria offered support to Iraq even as U.S. and 
coalition forces were engaged in combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Yet 
Syria is subject to fewer U.S. sanctions than any other country 
considered a state sponsor of terrorism.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to commend my 
colleagues, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) and the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), for introducing the Syria 
Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003. This 
legislation, which I have cosponsored, holds Syria accountable for its 
support for terrorism, occupation of Lebanon, and possession and 
continued development of weapons of mass destruction and would give the 
President the tools to impose penalties on Syria unless it corrects its 
behavior immediately.
  Mr. Speaker, Syria's mistreatment of its Jewish citizens is one more 
reason that Congress cannot remain silent on Syria. I urge my 
colleagues to cosponsor the Syria Accountability and Lebanese 
Sovereignty Restoration Act. Congress cannot allow these activities in

[[Page H4128]]

Syria to continue. We must raise our voices and speak out against 
Syria's support of international terror and the systematic oppression 
of its own people.

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