Safeguarding Tunisian Jews

Following the recent political revolution in Tunisia, Jewish Federations are working with our international partners in their efforts to safeguard the historic Tunisian Jewish community.

Last week, protestors ousted Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who had ruled the Mediterranean country for 23 years. Despite 78 reported deaths during the chaos that ensued, the Jewish community has remained unharmed, as the revolution has been populist, rather than religiously, motivated.

Still, some of Tunisia's 1,700 Jews -- the majority of whom live on the island of Djerba -- have left the country during the upheaval. So far, 10 people have made aliyah to Israel, while others have taken temporary refuge in Israel or elsewhere.

The Jewish Federations of North America convened a conference call Thursday with our overseas partners to brief Federations on the situation. More than 40 communities participated. Speakers included Jewish Agency for Israel Chairman of the Executive Natan Sharansky, JAFI Director General of Aliyah and Klitah Eli Cohen, and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee CEO and Executive Vice-President Steven Schwager. Chairing the call was JFNA's Israel & Overseas Chair Shepard Remis.

Speakers outlined the activities of our global partners to protect Tunisia's Jewish population. For those Jews choosing to leave Tunisia, JAFI has assisted in both aliyah and absorption into Israel, including finding apartments and jobs for those displaced. JAFI is also working closely with the JDC to monitor the situation on the ground in Tunisia, where JDC has a longtime presence, and is prepared to send direct ground assistance if necessary.

Remis lauded both organizations' ongoing efforts. "As worrisome as the developments have been, Jews of Tunisia are not facing today's challenges alone," he said. "Our two overseas partners have been hard at work to ensure safety and peace of mind during these difficult times."

Jerry Silverman, President and CEO of JFNA, also praised the humanitarian aid JAFI and JDC provide in times of international distress. "We appreciate the work of both the Jewish Agency and the JDC, not only in the area of Tunisia, but all around the world," he said.

Roger Bismuth, a member of the Tunisian senate, and leader of the Jewish community in Tunisia, described the current state of the Jewish population of Tunisia as "safe, and very well taken care of" as well. He commended the positive work of JAFI and the JDC, but cautioned that the international community must remain committed to Tunisia's Jews, especially as the country begins to rebuild as a democracy.

"After a revolution, you have the aftermath," he said. "We must help the people of Tunisia; otherwise, we might have a reverse of the victory of the revolution."

Both the JDC and JAFI reported on the situation as well. Click here for the JDC report and click here for the JAFI report.