In Tunisia, long praised for its religious tolerance, take since the 2011 revolution attacks on minorities. Islamists threaten especially the small Jewish community of the capital the boys wander off.

“Kosher” is written in large Hebrew letters at the entrance to the butcher. It is once more to read on the awning and inside the butcher not to overlook the massive refrigerator: “Kosher”. All goods Judeo safe! On the question of whether there are sometimes disputes with Arab neighbors, the expression darkened the butcher. Then he picks up the phone – a quick call in Arabic, storms already a policeman in the store opposite the Great Synagogue and the curious customer asks why they threaten the old man.

Tunis is famous for its tolerance, everyone is allowed to exercise their religion freely, as stated in the Constitution. But since the 2011 revolution and the overthrow of dictator Zine el-Abedin Ben Ali in Tunisia, the Islamists are on the rise. Including many muddleheads concerned that the expulsion of the Jews, and indeed of all other religions of the country for their sacred duty. The impartiality and openness of the once proud Jewish community in Tunis are passé and gone with time great suspicion.

It was October 2011, just days after the escape of Ben Ali as the first Islamists marched in front of the synagogue. Television pictures of their hatred demonstration went around the world. Black Qaeda flags waving in front of the decorated with the Star of David facade. What would thus bring the Arab Spring, the anxious question of the Jews, the religious minorities in Tunisia?

Jews in Tunisia:Anti-Semitic attacks take

Today, there are zweckoptimistisch in the Jewish community of Tunis. So far we have not had any real problems with Islamists, says the treasurer. He asks prefer not to publish his name. Of course you do in the community worried, but do it at the moment not everyone in Tunisia? Tunisia’s Jews, he says, are first of all Tunisians and only Jews.

The official unconcern functionary of the community do not share many of the Jews in Tunis. On the contrary, fear of attacks grows. While stressing the Islamist Nahda party, which represents the new government time after time their solidarity with other religions. But the anti-Semitic attacks are greatly since the change of power. Cemeteries are desecrated, threatened Jewish citizens. The plan of a police officer to kidnap a young member of the community to ransom, was thwarted at the last minute.

Each year the Jewish pilgrimage to the holy shrine of al-Ghriba synagogue on Djerba Island, it is the largest Jewish pilgrimage in North Africa, which in 2013 but could only take place under massive police protection. 2002 21 people died in an arson attack by al-Qaida on the centuries-old synagogue – most of them German tourists. Pessimists fear that this attack was only the prelude to another major terrorist attacks.

Jews in Tunisia:”Tunisia is our country, we are not going away”

The Israeli government has made ​​funds available to facilitate the emigration of Jews from Tunisia to Israel. But the treasurer in Tunis wants to know nothing of emigration. “Jews belong to Tunisia as the sea and the light. We were here before the Muslims arrived. Tunisia is our country, we are not going away.”

Indeed, can the history of the Jews in Tunisia dates back more than 1700 years they lived here usually better than in the rest of the region. Before the German occupation, the municipality had 110,000 members. After the Second World War 200 community members were deported and murdered  began the exodus of the Jews of Tunisia. Half of it went to France, the other in Israel.

Today, only 1,500 Jews live in the North African country. “The boys wander off the old ones die,” says the old man who unlocks the door to the synagogue to visitors – it is guarded by 15 security guards around the clock.

Even the Jews in Tunisia can show open, which denomination they belong to. As the secretary of a Jewish forwarder who wears a necklace with a silver Star of David. But only a few hundred yards from her office showing the land to another, its new face: Before al-Fath Mosque, where gather Tunis’ radical Islamists, hawkers selling everything the modern jihadist needs in the fight: digital compasses to locate in all crisis areas of the world Mecca, several alarm clocks that beat prayer times alarm, and headbands that are inscribed with verses from the Koran – the headdress for extremists who go to holy war against the infidels.

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