Israel-Lebanon agreement highlights long-lost Jewish community
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 06:31 · Archive
An Israel-Lebanon agreement has renewed attention on the once-thriving Lebanese Jewish community, most of whom left decades ago.
An Israel-Lebanon agreement reached last month has brought renewed focus to the Lebanese Jewish community, most of whom departed the country decades ago. Under the deal, Israel agreed to release five civilians detained by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon in exchange for Lebanon's assistance in searching for the bodies of Lebanese Jewish leaders who were abducted and killed during Lebanon's civil war in the 1980s.
Rabbi Elie Abadie, 65, represents the dispersed community. Born and raised in Beirut to parents who had moved from Syria, he left Lebanon at age 10 and later settled briefly in Mexico before moving to Dubai, where he now serves as senior rabbi emeritus of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf states. He has not visited Lebanon since leaving. Despite his absence, he maintains strong connections to his heritage, keeping 3,000 Arabic songs on his phone and speaking Arabic and French with his siblings.
Abadie remembers Lebanon's 1960s as its 'best days', with 'beautiful beaches and rivieras, mountain resorts, skiing resorts'. His family, like many Lebanese Jews, departed as anti-Jewish sentiment rose following the 1967 war between Israel and Arab countries. The once-thriving Lebanese Jewish community has largely faded from memory in the decades since.
How it is being reported
- Israel-Lebanon agreement shines light on long-lost Jewish communityRabbi Elie Abadie, who left Lebanon over 50 years ago, remains deeply connected to his Lebanese roots.Clickorlando · 18 Oct, 06:07
- Israel-Lebanon agreement shines light on long-lost Jewish communityRabbi Elie Abadie, who left Lebanon over 50 years ago, remains deeply connected to his Lebanese roots.News4Jax · 18 Oct, 06:07
In this story: Rabbi Elie Abadie · Lebanon · Israel · Hezbollah
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