Ohallison

Article Selection:

I would like to edit and contribute to the article called Antisemitism in the Arab World, but more specifically, the section regarding views in modern day Tunisia.

Notes:

• Medieval times
  • Under the rule of Muhammad (570-632) in the sixth century, Jews typically showed support for Muhammad, as he referred to both Jews and Christians as the "peoples of the Book." Hostility only came about as Jews began to reject the ideas of Islam, continuing into the twenty-first century. In sections 155 through 161 of the Qur'an, the passages state that Jews are fundamentally against Muslims, therefore Muslims have obligations to kill the enemies of Islam.
  • Twentieth century
    • The anti-Zionist Mufti of Jerusalem, Mohammed Amin al-Husayni, influenced the increase in the amount of violence towards Jews throughout the Arab world, specifically in Palestine. al-Husayni also assisted the Nazi propaganda in Germany, encouraging them to extend to the Arab world and further their agenda there.
    • Israel, since its establishment, has been known to be a source of tension and ill feelings from its neighboring countries.
    • Arab anti-semitism has transformed in terms of Islam, putting into Islamic terms, using the Qur'an, to signify the rejection of Jews.
• Examples in Modern Day Tunisia:
  • In modern day Tunisia, there have been many instances of anti-semitic acts and statements against Jews, which the government is not quick to condemn, which perpetuates the anti-semitism observed in the Tunisian society, even adding to it, as a draft of their constitution would have made it illegal to establish connections with Israel.
  • In April of 2002, a suicide bombing of the Djerba synagogue was one of the most outright examples of anti-semitism in Tunisia, killing 21 people in an extremely sacred location.
  • It has been observed that since the fall of the Ben Ali regime, there has been an increasing amount of public offenses against Jews in Tunisia.
    • For example, in February of 2012, Egyptian cleric Wagdi Ghanaim entered Tunisia, welcomed by Islamists who assembled, chanting "Death to the Jews" as a sign of support and their ideologies.
    • In addition, in March of 2012, a Salafi sheikh shared his views during protests in Tunis by directing young Tunisians to gather and prepare so they may learn to kill the Jews.
  • The Tunisian government has made efforts to block Jews from entering high positions, and some moderate members have tried to cover up the more extremist anti-Semitic efforts by appointing Jews to governmental positions, however, it is known that Muslim clerics believe that if the Muslim Brotherhood leads the regime, that will enhance their hatred towards Jews.
  • Currently, there are fewer than 1000 native Jews living in Tunisia due to the plurality of hate crimes and anti-semitism towards them.
  • Formerly a hub for Jewish life since medieval times, the population has decreased more than 100,000 in population in 1948, with the majority of the current population living in Djerba.
  • The Tunisian Jewish population is still in decline, influenced by much political and economic turmoil in the twenty-first century, specifically anti-semitic events and violence from Tunisia's rebellion in 2011.
• Government responses:
  • The Tunisian president at the time of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, Habib Bourguiba, had apologized to the chief rabbi after anti-Semitic acts, such as mobs of protestors which destroyed shops owned by Jews, as well as synagogues. Since these incidents, the Tunisian government has publicly protected marks of Jewish culture, for example, synagogues.

References:

1. TunMoore, John H. "Anti-Semitism in the Arab World." Encyclopedia of Race and Racism, vol. 1, Macmillan Reference USA, 2008, pp. 114-115. Gale Virtual Reference Library.
2. Webman, Esther. "Anti-Semitism: Arab World." Encyclopedia of Race and Racism, edited by Patrick L. Mason, 2nd ed, Vol 1, pp. 139-142. Gale Virtual Reference Library, Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2013.
3. Mazel, Zvi. "Anti-Semitism Rhetoric Increasing in Tunisia under Brotherhood. Muslim Clerics Believe Regime Will Let Them Intensify Their Incitement against Jews." Jerusalem Post, January 6, 2013.
4. Filippo Petrucci & Marisa Fois. "Attitudes towards Israel in Tunisian political debate: from Bourguiba to the new constitution." The Journal of North African Studies, 2016.
5. Gall, Carlotta. "Buffeted by Tumult, Jewish Population in Tunisia Dwindles." The New York Times. June 25, 2014. Accessed November 12, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/26/world/africa/buffeted-by-tumult-jewish-population-in-tunisia-dwindles.html.
6. McNeil, Donald G. "Tunisian Synagogue Blast Called Accident." The New York Times. April 13, 2002. Accessed December 01, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/13/world/tunisian-synagogue-blast-called-accident.html.

Peer Edit Reflection:

After reading Allison Meyer's peer edit of my wikipedia page, she suggested added a small section regarding the background of the Jewish population in Tunisia, which I agree with. It would definitely be beneficial to give more details regarding the history of when the population seemed to first be acknowledged in Tunisia. It was helpful that Allison Meyer also mentioned what her sandbox assignment was focusing on, the Djerba Jews, and how it would be beneficial to discuss the decline of Jewish people living in Tunisia and how antisemitism connects to that. Additionally, based on her prior research and knowledge, she thought it would be important for people reading the article to get a greater idea on the magnitude of the Jewish people leaving Tunisia because of Antisemitism. Finally, she suggested that I talk more about how other governments are responding to this issue in Tunisia, specifically local governments. I think all of these comments are helpful and I will definitely take them all into account.