Jewish cousins among victims of Tunisia synagogue shooting

U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemned the killings, writing on Twitter that Washington “deplores the attack in Tunisia coinciding with the annual Jewish pilgrimage that draws faithful to the El Ghriba Synagogue from around the world. We express condolences to the Tunisian people and commend the rapid action of Tunisian security forces.”

The United States deplores the attack in Tunisia coinciding with the annual Jewish pilgrimage that draws faithful to the El Ghriba Synagogue from around the world.  We express condolences to the Tunisian people and commend the rapid action of Tunisian security forces.

— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) May 10, 2023

Video footage shared on social media appeared to depict loud gunshots that were audible within the synagogue complex, and some reports said that hundreds of worshippers—even up to 1,000—were present.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. embassy in Tunisia posted that officials—including Joey Hood, the American ambassador to Tunisia, and Deborah Lipstadt, special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, as well as senior Tunisian officials—had attended the opening ceremony of an annual pilgrimage at the synagogue the previous evening.

“I am sickened and heartbroken by the lethal, antisemitic attack targeting the Ghriba synagogue in Djerba during the Lag B’Omer celebrations, with thousands of Jewish pilgrims in attendance. Together with Amb. Joey Hood, I was celebrating at the synagogue the day before the attack,” Lipstadt tweeted.

I am sickened and heartbroken by the lethal, antisemitic attack targeting the Ghriba synagogue in Djerba during the Lag B’Omer celebrations, with thousands of Jewish pilgrims in attendance. Together with Amb. Joey Hood, I was celebrating at the synagogue the day before the attack pic.twitter.com/qSuZVldrH1

— Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt (@StateSEAS) May 10, 2023

Afra Al Hameli, director of strategic communications at the UAE foreign affairs and international cooperation ministry, posted that the Emirates condemns the attack, praises the “vigilance and efficiency” of the Tunisian government response and expresses “its sympathy to the families of victims of this heinous crime.”

The Cyprus foreign affairs ministry also condemned the “heinous terrorist attack,” adding that “we strongly condemn all forms of antisemitism and we express our sincere condolences to the Government and people of Tunisia.”

#BREAKING France condemns 'heinous' Tunisia synagogue shooting pic.twitter.com/K4IyR33zJT

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) May 10, 2023

The European Jewish Congress offered “deepest condolences” to the victims’ families, calling the tragic attack “a cowardly act of terrorism.”

Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis, stated that conference members have “fond memories” of a recent visit to the synagogue. “Yet again, we grieve for the loss of life at the historic El Ghirba Synagogue,” he stated. “We express our gratitude and admiration to the security services without whose action this tragedy would have been even greater. The world must unite and loudly condemn yet another cowardly attack on Jews at worship.”

Some believe that the synagogue—or at least, its antecedent—dates back to the exile after the destruction of either the First Temple (586 BCE) or the Second Temple (70 C.E.). The current building is late 19th century, apparently on the site of a former sixth-century synagogue.

It has been the site of previous attacks, including a firebombing in 2018.

Heartbroken and saddened by the loss of life at the historic El Ghirba Synagogue in Djerba, Tunisia.

We pray for the souls of our brothers הי"ד and the recovery of the injured.

We wish strength to the Tunisian community and Chief Rabbi Bitan at this difficult time.#Djerba

— Alliance Rabbis Islamic States (@RabbisAlliance) May 10, 2023