Death toll in Tunisia synagogue attack rises to five
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Loading... - Kayla Harrison
- 11 May 2023
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The death toll resulting from an attack on a synagogue in Tunisia has now reached five individuals, as reported by Tunisia's TAP news agency on Wednesday. The incident took place during an annual Jewish pilgrimage on the island of Djerba and was carried out by a rogue officer who opened fire at the synagogue. The victims include two Jewish worshipers and three Tunisian police guards.
According to TAP, one of the police guards succumbed to his injuries after the attack, as confirmed by a medical official. Tunisian authorities initially stated that two other officers were killed at the scene. The assailant responsible for the assault was a guard associated with the National Guard naval center on Djerba and was later neutralized by fellow guards as he attempted to enter the synagogue after shooting a colleague and seizing his ammunition.
Additional members of the security forces were injured and admitted to a hospital in Djerba, with one reported to be in critical condition. The Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that the civilian casualties included a 42-year-old French national and a 30-year-old Tunisian. The French-Jewish victim was Benjamin Haddad, a 42-year-old businessperson residing in France, while the Tunisian-Israeli victim was Aviel Haddad, a 30-year-old dual citizen living in Netivot, Israel. Dr. Miryam Gez-Avigal, the chairwoman of the World Federation of Tunisian Jewry in Israel, provided this information to The Times of Israel.
Furthermore, four civilians sustained injuries, according to the Tunisian Interior Ministry. The French Foreign Ministry expressed deep sadness over the attack and commended the swift response of the Tunisian security forces. France also pledged support to Tunisia in its ongoing fight against antisemitism and extremism.
Tunisia, once home to a flourishing Jewish community, currently has only a small population of Jews, with many having emigrated to France or Israel. Despite political unrest and Islamist violence, the country has endeavored to rebuild its reputation as a sought-after tourist destination.
The pilgrimage to the ancient El Ghriba synagogue on Djerba attracts thousands of Jewish individuals annually. However, in 2002, a truck bomb detonated near the synagogue during the Lag B'Omer event, resulting in the deaths of 20 people. This incident led to increased security measures, and subsequent years witnessed a decline in attendance. This year's pilgrimage reportedly had around 5,000 participants, as reported by French outlet BMFTV, citing organizers.
The motive behind the attack is currently being investigated. Amichai Chikli, the Minister of Diaspora Affairs, stated that the incident occurred following a period of heightened tension and harassment directed at the Jewish community at the site.
The European Jewish Congress expressed shock and outrage over the attack, highlighting the ongoing targeting of Jews worldwide, even in places of worship. Ariel Muzicant, the President of the European Jewish Congress, issued a statement condemning the act of terrorism.
The Hilula of Ghriba, a festive event featuring a procession, is held annually on or near Lag B'Omer, attracting Jewish individuals from various parts of the world to Djerba. The procession traditionally concludes at the El Ghriba synagogue, believed to have been established by Jews escaping persecution over 2,500 years ago. Georgetown University's Berkley Center notes that the current synagogue building was constructed in the 19th century and is often referred to as the oldest synagogue in Africa.
