Syrian Jewish group welcomes US removal of Syria from state terror sponsors list

The Jewish Heritage of Syria Foundation, Syria's first registered Jewish NGO, welcomed the Trump administration's decision to remove Syria from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. The U.S. State Department formally revoked the designation on Monday, following a 45-day congressional review. Syria had been on the list since 1979. The foundation called the move "an important step toward Syria’s reintegration and recovery and toward a future in which its rich and diverse cultural heritage can be preserved and celebrated." The administration has progressively eased U.S. sanctions on Syria to encourage economic recovery and international reintegration. Henry Hamra, who leads the foundation, stated, "Our work has been met with support from the Syrian government and people, and we believe it is fitting that Syria is no longer classified as a state sponsor of terrorism." This action is expected to facilitate investment and financial transactions involving Syria. The move comes less than two years after al-Sharaa’s forces overthrew longtime President Bashar Assad on Dec. 8, 2024, with al-Sharaa named Syria’s transitional president in January 2025. This decision also follows U.S.-mediated talks between Syrian and Israeli officials in Jordan on August 23 to ease tensions.