Aviel and Ben Haddad, two cousins, were murdered last night (Tuesday) in a shooting attack near the Al-Ghriba synagogue on the island of Djerba, which belongs to Tunisia.
Aviel Haddad, 30, an Israeli citizen living in Tunisia, and his cousin Ben Haddad, 42, a resident of France, who came to the country for the Lag BaOmer event.
The attack took place at the place where the traditional Lag BaOmer event is held every year, with the participation of hundreds of Jews and Israelis who came especially from Israel.
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The two were shot by the attacker as they left the synagogue and entered the parking lot.
According to the Tunisian Ministry of Interior, two other murdered people are local police officers.
The Associated Press reported that the attacker was killed by security guards who prevented him from entering the synagogue. It was also reported that ten people were injured in the attack.
Following the shooting, hundreds of celebrants barricaded themselves inside the synagogue building. Only a few hours later did security forces begin evacuating worshippers from the scene.
Many Israelis are staying there, as the month of Hilula is the only time when Israelis are allowed to enter the country.
Security sources in Tunisia said that an initial investigation indicates that the former security guard burst into a building belonging to the local navy on the island of Djerba, stabbed a security guard to death, stole his weapon and fled.
Security forces pursued him, and after an exchange of fire between the sides, he was killed by security forces near the synagogue.
Terrorist incident at the Garba synagogue in Tunis pic.twitter.com/wwwSf9gqrF
— Franzose David. (@MqJRbvQz8cFXIW3) May 9, 2023
Rabbi Aharon Mazuz, one of the leaders of the Jewish community in Djerba, said that the local media is framing the shooting attack as a "quarrel" in order not to harm tourism.
He told 'Voice of the Barama' radio about the fears the day after: "All the shops are closed, everyone is afraid. The terrorist arrived at the synagogue parking lot, killed a policeman, grabbed his weapon and opened fire, killing two Jews, one of whom had an Israeli passport. By 2 a.m., everyone was locked in the synagogue.
""The terrorist was neutralized by the local police. A major disaster was averted. Some want to leave and some say that attacks happen everywhere in the world. The local media is saying that this was a quarrel and not an attack because the authorities are afraid of harming tourism.".
Among the people besieged in the synagogue was former Knesset member Yom Tov Kalfon, who told Channel 7: "We heard gunshots outside the synagogue compound. We don't know what exactly happened there, there are several versions. We were praying evening prayers, when they didn't let us go outside.".
Minister of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight against Anti-Semitism Amichai Shikli tweeted this morning on his Twitter account: "A serious incident in the Jewish community in Tunisia, two deaths from the Jewish community and two police officers who acted to thwart the attack, the incident is over.
""About a month and a half ago, in light of the tensions in the country, we held an emergency discussion between the Ministry of Diaspora, Aliyah and the Jewish Agency, in which we agreed on joint action that will assist members of the community who wish to immigrate to Israel.".
In Tunisia, where Muslims, Jews, and Christians have lived side by side for centuries, pilgrims from around the world gathered on the island of Djerba last night for the annual Lag B'Omer celebration. Ambassador Joey Hood and visiting Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat… pic.twitter.com/6AqQPVNF8k
— US Embassy Tunis (@usembassytunis) May 9, 2023
Minister Bezalel Smotrich responded that the shooting at the ancient synagogue in Djerba, while hundreds of Jews were celebrating the feast of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, is another reminder of the vital need to take strong action against terrorism worldwide. "I wish to share in the grief of the families and strengthen the Jewish community in Djerba, and I believe that the authorities will act quickly to restore security to the community and visitors.".
Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri responded to the shooting attack in Tunisia: "Shocking by the murder of the holy Jews who came to celebrate the Rashbi celebration at the synagogue in Djerba.
""It is the duty of the State of Israel to act with the authorities in Tunisia and throughout the world to ensure the safety of synagogue visitors and all Jews. I seek to strengthen the Jewish community in Djerba, share in the sorrow of the families of the murdered, and pray for the healing of the injured. Our hearts are with you.".
