Rabbi of Al-Salam Jews demands $100 million compensation

Yahya Joseph Mossa the Rabbi of the Jewish community in al-Salam.

Yahya Joseph Mossa, the Rabbi of the Jewish community in al-Salam, has claimed that al-Huthi’s followers stole his car from his friend and local sheikh Bin Daji’s house in Sa’adah province on July 26.

Mossa also claimed that the Huthis looted valuable manuscripts and many other belongings from his home in al-Hayd village on April 6 and then proceeded to destroy it.

He demanded USD $100,086,150 and SR 35,000 as a compensation for the destruction and looting of his historical library, which included ancient books such as the Torah, along with other religious, historical, scientific, and Hebrew documents written on parchment, which he deemed invaluable.

A specialized machine for silver-making was also looted, at a cost of $16,000, in addition to a swimming pool, his wife’s jewelry, and assorted home appliances.

Rabbi Mossa said that he submitted the compensation memorandum to Member of Local Council Sheikh Ahmad Shaiya Bakhtan and the manager of the district, Naji Qamsha. “They told me that they gave it to the chairman of compensation committee, but there has been no answer until now,” he added despondently.

Compensation was also sought for a second car that was fired upon and destroyed by Huthis. An official document from the Interior Ministry recorded the shots hitting Mossa’s car.

The al-Salam Jews are currently residing in the Tourist City in Sana’a ever since they had been expelled from their houses in Sa’adah governorate. They are currently being financed by the Yemeni government, which provided YR 5000 for each member of the community.   

According to Mossa, Jews living in the Tourist City in Sana’a total 65, are unemployed, and are living in conditions worse than those they had in Sa’adah. “We have just six apartments and at least four families living in one,” said Mossa. “It is tough.” 

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