Personally I would have got up, tried to persuade a few other guys to do likewise and gone to have a chat with the Syrians, find out what they were up to... all friendly like. Then take it from there.
Good idea. Do you remember right after 9-11 a pilot gave some recommendations for passengers? It was a pretty good list of things to do, and one of them included introducing yourself to those near you, etc. I also remember he said something about all the passengers throwing their shoes at a terrorist. It was on Paul Harvey. Wish I could see that one again.