A rabbi was the reported target of a Hezbollah plot in Syria, according to Israeli and Syrian media reports published after the Syrian Interior Ministry announced on Saturday that security forces thwarted a plot in Damascus.
The alleged target was named as Rabbi Michael Khoury by KAN and Radio Free Syria.
A woman in the cell allegedly attempted to plant explosives at the home of “one of the religious figures in the vicinity of the Maronite Church in the Bab Tuma area,” the interior ministry published, confirming that initial investigations pointed to those involved being members of Hezbollah.
The ministry alleged that the cell received specialized military training abroad, though it did not specify where.
In response to the accusation, the terror group published in a statement on Sunday that it denied the accusation it was connected to the cell attempting to assassinate a religious figure.
“Hezbollah reiterates its previously stated position that it has no activity, affiliation, or relationship with any party in Syria, and no presence on Syrian soil,” the group published.
“Hezbollah also affirms its commitment to the security, stability, and safety of Syria and its people in all their diversity. Hezbollah calls upon the relevant authorities in the Syrian state to conduct a thorough investigation before making baseless accusations, especially given the presence of intelligence agencies seeking to incite tension between Lebanon and Syria.”
Dan Brotman commends Syria
Commending Damascus for its handling of the situation, Jewish global migration expert and journalist Dan Brotman told The Jerusalem Post that countries once thought to be too dangerous for Jews were increasingly becoming travel hotspots.
Despite Israel’s National Security Council placing Syria in the Level 4 risk category and prohibiting travel there, Brotman is one of an increasing number of Israelis who have visited.
Brotman times, noted there had been foiled attacks across the globe, including in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Azerbaijan, and so argued the attempted assassination in Syria wasn’t a sign of deeply entrenched hostility.
“The new Syrian government has adopted a very different position towards Jews right now, and thus there is renewed Jewish interest in Syria, he explained. “In terms of risk, there are six Jews left in Syria, and none of them have been injured or killed since October 7, 2023. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Jews in Western countries.”