Two photographs taken in recent days in Syria have sparked debate on local social media, especially in channels affiliated with the opposition to the new regime of President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
In one image, two men are seen standing on a military vehicle flying the flag of Syria’s former regime, led by ex-president Bashar Assad. In the second, one of the same men is pictured on a vehicle belonging to the General Security Service, alongside a figure linked to the new Syrian regime.
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Moshe Klein (right) and his friend seen standing on a military vehicle flying the flag of Syria’s former regime
On one opposition-affiliated channel, the two photos appeared with the caption: “A Jewish rabbi climbed onto a former Syrian military vehicle inside Syria and posed with a member of the ‘General Security militia.’ Tell us—who is the collaborator, the traitor, who sold out the country?” Another channel wrote: “A Jewish rabbi climbs onto a Syrian Arab Army military vehicle inside Syria.”
Meanwhile, a channel tied to the Iranian-Shiite axis claimed: “As part of normalization with the Zionists, the photo shows the Zionist rabbi Moshe Klein with a figure in what is called the ‘General Security’ in Damascus.” Yet the accompanying image did not show Klein at all, but rather his friend who had traveled with him to Syria.
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Klein's friend pictured on a vehicle belonging to Syria's General Security Service, alongside a figure linked to the country's new regime
Klein, who lives in New York and visited Syria with his friend, told Ynet: “I am not a rabbi and not an Israeli, I am an American Jew. I have visited more than 100 countries around the world, including Arab Muslim states. My friend is also a very experienced traveler. We came to Syria because it recently opened up to tourism. It was harder to get there in the past. We were in Damascus, in Aleppo, in Christian villages. We walked around, saw the country, spoke with people. Overall, it was a nice experience. Good people.”
He added a caveat: “Of course, some treated us well and some less so. We didn’t go around telling everyone we were Jews or Americans, but some people knew. We came as tourists. If someone asked, I said so. I am never ashamed of my background—neither of being Jewish nor of being a U.S. citizen.”
Commenting on the photo in which he appears, Klein said: “In many places we visited, there were vehicles from the old Syrian army. In the middle of the desert, people climb on them and take pictures.” He stressed that this was not unusual, and added that no regime officials accompanied him or his friend. He also noted Syria is not at all a cheap destination: “We had guides, a driver. We were only there three days and wanted to see as much as possible. It’s not a place people often visit. It’s relatively expensive to get there, flights are costly. We came via Jordan but left from Aleppo Airport.”
“Things need to be put in perspective,” Klein continued. “There are Syrian Jews who are now visiting Syria. Under the old regime too, people came. Of course, when there is a new regime, there is hope—hope among Syrians, hope across the region. There are also fears that things could turn out worse, but there is hope, because something new has begun. I travel to all sorts of Third World countries, and what drives people is hope. I don’t apologize for the visit and I don’t see it as a provocation.”
Klein added: “I saw an opportunity to visit. I saw good people there. Of course there were some who didn’t like that I came. I visited Jewish heritage sites. I met Bakhour Chamntoub, one of the last Jews in Damascus. Walking through the Jewish Quarter, you can see exactly where everything used to be. It’s not the easiest place, but in the end I enjoyed myself and I don’t dwell on those who don’t want me there.”
When asked if he intends to return to Syria, Klein replied: “I don’t know, because I still have nearly 70 countries left to visit. I want to reach every country in the world. Also, it’s not easy to get to Syria, it’s not cheap and it’s not very tourist-friendly.”