Facing Security Concerns Jewish Community in Tunisia Plans Scaled-Down Pilgrimage

Djerba, Tunisia — Organizers of the annual Jewish pilgrimage to the El-Ghriba synagogue, one of the world’s oldest synagogues located on the Tunisian island of Djerba, have announced plans for a scaled-down event next month due to security concerns.

This decision comes less than a year after a deadly shooting at the site deeply affected the community.

The pilgrimage, which draws thousands to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, will be confined to the synagogue itself, rather than the island-wide festivities that are traditionally held.

“Those who come to visit are welcome and they can hold religious rituals, light a candle, inside the synagogue,” said Perez Trabelsi, the head of the island’s Jewish community, in an interview with The Associated Press.

This year’s more subdued observance is influenced by heightened security fears following not only the local incident but also due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which has sparked mass protests across the Middle East and North Africa.

In Tunisia, protests have remained mostly peaceful; however, an incident in October saw a synagogue on the mainland in Al-Hammah desecrated during demonstrations.

Trabelsi emphasized that the decision to limit the scope of the Lag B’Omer celebrations was specifically due to the shooting incident and not directly related to the broader geopolitical tensions, stating that while the community does not feel threatened, its leaders feel a strong responsibility to ensure its safety.

He also highlighted the support of the Tunisian authorities in securing the event, expressing confidence in the country’s commitment to remain a land of "tolerance, coexistence, and peace."

Similar security concerns have also affected Jewish communities in Morocco, where the International Federation of Moroccan Jews recently advised against public celebrations of the Mimouna holiday, echoing the cautious approach taken by their Tunisian counterparts.

The adjustments to traditional celebrations underscore the delicate balance communities must strike between preserving cultural and religious traditions and ensuring the safety and security of their participants in times of heightened tensions.