- UN Partition of Palestine

On November 29, 1947, the United Nations announces the partition of Palestine – dividing the territory into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. Outraged, the Arab delegates storm out of the assembly in protest.

In Syria, Muslim leaders call for a holy war, saying it is a matter of “life or death.” Arab mobs riot and set fire to Jewish synagogues, establishments, institutions and homes. The Great Synagogue undergoes significant damage, and much of the Keter Aram Soba is destroyed or lost.

“I knew this was important for the Jewish people, the Jewish nation. The United Nations finally came through and they voted for partition and we were completely happy. Everybody that I knew was very happy. That was November 29. The next day also we were happy. And I will tell you that the day after that, December 1st was a black day for us in Halab.” – Ezra “Eddie” Gindi, Episode 6

“Four or five synagogue that were burned were– right in the neighborhood. So I remember that we went to the roof. And we see the fire going to the sky of the shuls.” – Abe Laniado, Episode 6

“My parents lived right next door to the [Great] Synagogue and they were looking at the mob storming that whole neighborhood, screaming and chanting, “Death to the Jews,” or the “Jews are our dogs.” The mob was trying to climb over the wall into the synagogue. My mother tells me that the police helped several people of the mob to climb over the wall.” – Rabbie Elie Abadie, Episode 6

(Article from the New York Times)