Tunis, Tunisia – (African Boulevard News) – A gunman has killed four people and wounded several others in an attack on a synagogue in the Tunisian city of Djerba. The synagogue was hosting an annual pilgrimage event, known as the Ghriba pilgrimage, which draws Jewish visitors from around the world.
The attack occurred on Tuesday, 10th May 2023, when the assailant approached the synagogue on a motorbike and opened fire with a Kalashnikov rifle. Four people, including two Tunisians and two foreign nationals, were killed in the attack, and several others were injured. The motive for the attack is not yet clear, but authorities suspect that it may be linked to terrorism.
The Ghriba attack also comes as Tunisia endures a severe financial crisis that has worsened since President Kais Saied seized power in July 2021 and rammed through a constitution that gave his office more powers. The crisis has fueled social unrest and led to a sharp rise in protests and strikes across the country.
The Ghriba pilgrimage has been held in Tunisia for more than a century, and it is seen as a symbol of peaceful coexistence between Jews and Muslims in the country. The attack has sent shockwaves across the country and the wider region, with many condemning it as an act of terrorism that threatens to undermine Tunisia’s fragile peace and stability.
“The attack on the Ghriba synagogue is a heinous act of violence that has targeted innocent people and threatens the peace and stability of our country,” President Kais Saied said in a statement. “We will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice and ensure that such an attack never happens again.”
The attack has also prompted a strong response from the international community, with several countries condemning it and offering their condolences to the families of the victims. In a statement, the United States expressed its “deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of this cowardly attack” and reiterated its commitment to working with Tunisia to combat terrorism.
The Ghriba attack is the latest in a string of terrorist incidents that have rocked Tunisia in recent years, including attacks on tourist sites and government institutions. The government has struggled to contain the threat posed by terrorist groups such as ISIS, which has claimed responsibility for several attacks in the country.
As the investigation into the Ghriba attack continues, Tunisians are grappling with the shock and grief of yet another terrorist attack on their soil. The attack serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the country as it struggles to navigate a period of political and economic turmoil while at the same time combating the threat of terrorism.
