by english.alaraby.co.uk — Lebanese Jews on Monday attended a “family gathering” held by Beirut’s representation at the embassy in Paris, Lebanese news outlets reported on Thursday. The gathering was the first of its kind at the embassy, Annahar reported. About 50 invitees attended the event, according to Megaphone. The event took place while Lebanon is in the grips of the worst economic crisis in its modern history, and amid a spat with several Gulf countries over a Lebanese minister’s criticism of their involvement in the war in Yemen. “This state is currently in danger, and all its citizens belonging to different sects must unite to save it,” Annahar reported Ambassador Rami Adwan as telling the attendees of Monday’s event. Some Lebanese on social media questioned the timing, dismissing is it as an attempt by Beirut to whitewash its public image at a time of crisis.

Most of Lebanon’s Jewish community left the country after the Arab-Israeli war of 1967. Less than 30 Jews are currently believed to be living in Lebanon, although population figures are unreliable because the census has not been updated in years. Lebanon has taken other symbolic steps in recent years towards the recognition of its Jewish heritage. Beirut’s oldest synagogue, the Maghen Abraham, reopened in 2014 during a grand ceremony attended by dignitaries from all sects. The synagogue was badly damaged by the Beirut blast, but repaired a few months later.