For the first time since 1967, a Jewish candidate will run in the Syrian parliamentary elections

Syrian-American Rabbi Henry Hamra has filed his candidacy for the People's Assembly from the Damascus district, becoming the first Jewish candidate to run in a parliamentary election in Syria since 1967. If elected, Hamra would be the first Jewish member of parliament since the 1940s.

Henry Hamra returned to Syria this year and pledged to donate $100,000 to the reconstruction of Syria.

Since coming to power, President Ahmed al-Shar' has pursued a policy of relative openness towards the Jewish community, welcoming various Jewish delegations to Damascus, including some Israeli citizens.

Last week, he met with Ronald Lauder, an American billionaire and president of the World Jewish Congress. The conversation was reportedly "very positive" and discussed the issue of normalizing relations with Israel.