

Episode 45: 48 hours in Syria, with David Horovitz
Sep 30, 2025
David Horovitz, editor and founder of The Times of Israel, shares insights from his rare trip to Damascus. He describes the surreal VIP treatment he received, including exclusive meetings with Syrian officials eager to reconnect with their Jewish diaspora. Horovitz delves into the emotional impact of ancient Jewish artifacts he witnessed in the National Museum and discusses the urgent economic stabilization efforts of new Syrian leaders. He also reflects on friendly interactions while walking through the city, painting a complex picture of a changing Syria.
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VIP Arrival And Diplomatic Treatment
- David Horovitz describes arriving in Damascus as a VIP convoy escorted by black BMWs and parked behind the terminal.
- The delegation was taken to a diplomatic-style VIP lounge and treated with high-level protocol throughout their visit.
Seeing The Dura Europos Paintings
- Horovitz recounts visiting the National Museum to see the 2,000-year-old Dura Europos synagogue wall paintings.
- The museum curator and an expert in the group reacted emotionally to finally seeing the paintings in person.
Preserved Jewish Artifacts In Storage
- The museum showed Torah scrolls and artifacts from a destroyed Damascus synagogue stored in wooden crates, some burned and damaged.
- The curator emphasized they preserved these items for restoration and future exhibition.