To my surprise, one of my favorite Jewish families has remained in Damscus. But there is great antipathy towards Israel in the Arab world. This is evident in statements, cartoons, books, and discussions. I saw Arab housing which was under pressure to sell to Hebrew University for its expansion. I am constantly reminded of the powerful psychological wall between West and East Jerusalem.
Jewish drivers are often unwilling to make the trip.
A couple of observations The leaders in the Middle East are aging. Next year could see King Hussein, Hafez Al-Asad and others leave the scene. And there is a new generation tired of the old battles, passions for revenge, and incessant bickering. None are seriously approachable without peace and justice. The sooner the region can cope with its problems in collaboration with each other, the sooner the younger generation has a chance to improve their lot.