Latest news with #ReneTrabelsi
France 24
15-05-2025
- France 24
Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns
The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa's oldest, has in the past drawn thousands of pilgrims from Europe, Israel and beyond, attracting international and local tourists as well. But after a 2023 deadly attack on the synagogue that killed two worshippers and three police officers, fewer pilgrims have been turning out to make the pilgrimage. "It has been difficult for people to come, given what's happening in the world," Rene Trabelsi, the event organiser, told AFP. "The pilgrimage has gone through many difficult periods in its history," he said. This year's activities were restricted to indoor events at the place of worship. "In 30 years, I have never seen the Ghriba synagogue so empty," said Khoudhir Hanya, the synagogue's manager. "Usually even a week beforehand, pilgrims begin to arrive -- sometimes up to 1,000 people." Earlier this month, a knife attack injured a local Jewish jeweller, but Trabelsi said it was unclear whether it was motivated by anti-Semitism, as authorities have not provided further details. The pilgrimage is at the heart of Jewish tradition in Tunisia, where only about 1,500 members of the faith still live -- mainly on Djerba. Many have left for Israel and France. Organisers say more than 5,000 people, mostly from abroad, attended the pilgrimage in 2023, whereas up to 8,000 pilgrims had attended in previous years. Security at the synagogue had already been tightened after previous attacks. A suicide truck bombing in 2002, claimed by Al-Qaeda, killed 21 at the synagogue, and another attack in 1985 killed four worshippers and a police officer.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns
Only about 30 people turned up Thursday at this year's Jewish pilgrimage on Tunisia's island of Djerba amid safety concerns following a deadly 2023 attack and as the war in Gaza rages on. The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa's oldest, has in the past drawn thousands of pilgrims from Europe, Israel and beyond, attracting international and local tourists as well. But after a 2023 deadly attack on the synagogue that killed two worshippers and three police officers, fewer pilgrims have been turning out to make the pilgrimage. "It has been difficult for people to come, given what's happening in the world," Rene Trabelsi, the event organiser, told AFP. "The pilgrimage has gone through many difficult periods in its history," he said. This year's activities were restricted to indoor events at the place of worship. "In 30 years, I have never seen the Ghriba synagogue so empty," said Khoudhir Hanya, the synagogue's manager. "Usually even a week beforehand, pilgrims begin to arrive -- sometimes up to 1,000 people." Earlier this month, a knife attack injured a local Jewish jeweller, but Trabelsi said it was unclear whether it was motivated by anti-Semitism, as authorities have not provided further details. The pilgrimage is at the heart of Jewish tradition in Tunisia, where only about 1,500 members of the faith still live -- mainly on Djerba. Many have left for Israel and France. Organisers say more than 5,000 people, mostly from abroad, attended the pilgrimage in 2023, whereas up to 8,000 pilgrims had attended in previous years. Security at the synagogue had already been tightened after previous attacks. A suicide truck bombing in 2002, claimed by Al-Qaeda, killed 21 at the synagogue, and another attack in 1985 killed four worshippers and a police officer. vid-fka/bou/ysm
Arab News
15-05-2025
- Arab News
Tunisia Jewish pilgrimage sees low turn out amid security concerns
DJERBA, Tunisia: Only about 30 people turned up Thursday at this year's Jewish pilgrimage on Tunisia's island of Djerba amid safety concerns following a deadly 2023 attack and as the war in Gaza rages on. The pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa's oldest, has in the past drawn thousands of pilgrims from Europe, Israel and beyond, attracting international and local tourists as well. But after a 2023 deadly attack on the synagogue that killed two worshippers and three police officers, fewer pilgrims have been turning out to make the pilgrimage. 'It has been difficult for people to come, given what's happening in the world,' Rene Trabelsi, the event organizer, told AFP. 'The pilgrimage has gone through many difficult periods in its history,' he said. This year's activities were restricted to indoor events at the place of worship. 'In 30 years, I have never seen the Ghriba synagogue so empty,' said Khoudhir Hanya, the synagogue's manager. 'Usually even a week beforehand, pilgrims begin to arrive — sometimes up to 1,000 people.' Earlier this month, a knife attack injured a local Jewish jeweller, but Trabelsi said it was unclear whether it was motivated by anti-Semitism, as authorities have not provided further details. The pilgrimage is at the heart of Jewish tradition in Tunisia, where only about 1,500 members of the faith still live — mainly on Djerba. Many have left for Israel and France. Organizers say more than 5,000 people, mostly from abroad, attended the pilgrimage in 2023, whereas up to 8,000 pilgrims had attended in previous years. Security at the synagogue had already been tightened after previous attacks. A suicide truck bombing in 2002, claimed by Al-Qaeda, killed 21 at the synagogue, and another attack in 1985 killed four worshippers and a police officer.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Jewish jeweler hospitalized after axe attack in Tunisia
DJERBA, Tunisia (AP) — The Jewish owner of a jewelry store in Tunisia was hospitalized Thursday after an axe attack on the island where Africa's oldest synagogue is located. The 50-year-old man was admitted to a hospital in Djerba, where many of Tunisia's remaining 1,500 Jews reside, community leader Rene Trabelsi told The Associated Press. The attack comes one week before Jewish pilgrims are expected in Djerba for the holiday Lag B'Omer. Across the island and at the 26-century-old El-Ghriba synagogue, Jews welcome thousands each year for three days of festivities. Trabelsi, who is Jewish and served as Tunisia's tourism minister from 2018 to 2020, said little was known about the attacker, adding he did not assume it had to do with religion or the holiday, but would await findings from Tunisian authorities about potential motives. 'We fully trust Tunisian authorities because we're Tunisian too,' he said. Trabelsi said that the store owner was expected to be released from the hospital on Friday after sustaining defensive wounds. Tunisian police have expanded security on the island, Trabelsi said. Two years ago, a 30-year-old Tunisian national guardsman killed two Jewish pilgrims and three security officers during the festival. Events were scaled back last year. Tunisian authorities have not commented on reports of the attack.
08-05-2025
Jewish jeweler hospitalized after axe attack in Tunisia
DJERBA, Tunisia -- The Jewish owner of a jewelry store in Tunisia was hospitalized Thursday after an axe attack on the island where Africa's oldest synagogue is located. The 50-year-old man was admitted to a hospital in Djerba, where many of Tunisia's remaining 1,500 Jews reside, community leader Rene Trabelsi told The Associated Press. The attack comes one week before Jewish pilgrims are expected in Djerba for the holiday Lag B'Omer. Across the island and at the 26-century-old El-Ghriba synagogue, Jews welcome thousands each year for three days of festivities. Trabelsi, who is Jewish and served as Tunisia's tourism minister from 2018 to 2020, said little was known about the attacker, adding he did not assume it had to do with religion or the holiday, but would await findings from Tunisian authorities about potential motives. 'We fully trust Tunisian authorities because we're Tunisian too,' he said. Trabelsi said that the store owner was expected to be released from the hospital on Friday after sustaining defensive wounds. Tunisian police have expanded security on the island, Trabelsi said. Two years ago, a 30-year-old Tunisian national guardsman killed two Jewish pilgrims and three security officers during the festival. Events were scaled back last year.
