Damascus affair

The Damascus affair was an 1840 incident in which the accusation of ritual murder was brought against members of the Jewish community of Damascus. The prevailing contemporary interpretation of this event is that of being a part of a long history of false blood libel charges against Jews.

The Rhodes blood libel and the Damascus affair, reported together in The Times, Apr 18, 1840 The Damascus affair was an 1840 incident in which the accusation of ritual murder was brought against members of the Jewish community of Damascus . Eight notable Jews of Damascus were accused of murdering a Christian monk, imprisoned and tortured. In addition, the Muslim populace of Damascus fell upon the Jewish synagogue in the suburb of Jobar, pillaged it, and destroyed the scrolls of the Law. The affair drew wide international attention in particular due to the efforts of the Austrian Consul in Aleppo Eliahu Picciotto , who made representations to Ibrahim Pasha , who then ordered an investigation. Sir Moses Haim Montefiore , backed by other influential westerners led a delegation to the ruler of Syria and Egypt, Muhammad Ali . The negotiations in Alexandria continued from August 4 to August 28 and secured the unconditional release and recognition of innocence of the nine prisoners still remaining alive (out of thirteen). Later in Constantinople , Montefiore persuaded Sultan Abdülmecid I to issue a firman (edict) intended to halt the spread of blood libel accusations in the Ottoman Empire . The prevailing contemporary interpretation of this event is that of being a part of a long history of anti-semitic blood libel charges against Jews.

Jewish prisoner preparing his defence, a Capuchin distant in the doorway. Painting by Moritz Daniel Oppenheim . The Damascus affair of 1840 refers to the arrest of thirteen notable members of the Jewish community of Damascus who were accused of murdering a Christian monk for ritual purposes . The anti-semitic blood libel resulted in the accused being imprisoned and tortured by the Ottoman authorities and the populace attacking and pillaging a local synagogue. The affair drew widespread international attention which resulted in negotiations conducted in Alexandria from August 4 till August 28. The aftermath secured the unconditional release and recognition of innocence for the nine prisoners remaining alive and the issuing of a firman (edict) intended to halt the spread of blood libel accusations in the Ottoman Empire .

Criminal case Jewish prisoner preparing his defence, a Capuchin distant in the doorway. Painting by Moritz Daniel Oppenheim . The Damascus affair of 1840 refers to the arrest of several notable members of the Jewish community in Damascus on the accusation of murdering Father Thomas, a Christian monk, and his Muslim servant for the purpose of using their blood to bake matzo , an antisemitic accusation also known as the blood libel . The Christians were supported in their accusation by the French consul at Damascus, Ulysse de Ratti-Menton, an anti-semite who was known to favour Christian merchants and advisers over their Jewish counterparts. Ratti-Menton ordered that an investigation be carried out in the Jewish quarter where both men had last been seen and encouraged the Egyptian governor of Damascus to act upon the matter, which resulted in the accused being imprisoned and interrogated under torture after which they confessed to the murder. In the aftermath of the incident, Christian and Muslim violence against the Jewish population increased. The affair drew widespread international attention, especially among European Jewry . After receiving a request from Sir Moses Montefiore and Adolphe Crémieux , Muhammed 'Ali released the remaining prisoners but without officially acquitting them. In November 1840, after the restoration of Ottoman rule over Syria , Sultan Abdülmecid I issued a firmān (edict) that denounced blood libel charges. The Century of Moses Montefiore . Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World .

1840 antisemitic accusation Jewish prisoner preparing his defence, a Capuchin distant in the doorway. Painting by Moritz Daniel Oppenheim . The Damascus affair of February 1840 was the disappearance of an Italian monk and his servant, for which a large number of Jews were summarily tortured until they "confessed" to murder. As an instance of antisemitism and a blood libel , news of the case spread, across the Middle East, to Europe, and the Western world. The Christians were supported in their accusation by the French consul at Damascus, Ulysse de Ratti-Menton, a person described by historians as antisemitic and known to favour Christian merchants and advisers over their Jewish counterparts. Ratti-Menton ordered that an investigation be carried out in the Jewish quarter where both men had last been seen and encouraged the Egyptian governor of Damascus to act upon the matter, which resulted in the accused being imprisoned and interrogated under torture after which they confessed to the murder. Antisemitism increased, with Muslims and Christians alike becoming violent, and attacking innocent Jewish people. This drew international attention, and European Jewry were horrified. Sir Moses Montefiore of Great Britain and Adolphe Crémieux of France were publicly outraged. In contrition, Muhammad Ali of Egypt released the remaining prisoners, but refused to acquit them. It was not until November 1840, after Egyptian withdrawal and the restoration of Ottoman Syria , that Sultan Abdulmejid I decreed all charges should be lifted. Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World .