Israeli FM Sparks Outrage in Tunisia Over Comments on Djerba Incident
Tunisians condemn Gideon Sa’ar’s call for “Jewish protection” after a robbery attempt, accusing Israel of politicizing an isolated local crime to deflect from Gaza war crimes.
Watan-Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has sparked widespread outrage in Tunisia after calling on authorities to “protect” Jewish citizens, following an attempted stabbing of a Jewish jeweler on the island of Djerba.
On Thursday, social media pages circulated reports of an attempted stabbing of a Jewish jeweler in the “Houmt Souk” area of Djerba (southeastern Tunisia). The attacker, reportedly a delinquent attempting to rob him, was apprehended. The incident was deemed random and not terror-related.
Tunisian political figures and activists responded cautiously, concerned the event might negatively impact the country’s tourism season, particularly since Djerba is one of Tunisia’s top tourist destinations. They also called on Tunisian authorities to issue an official clarification. As of now, the Interior Ministry has not released a statement.
Israeli FM’s Call for Jewish Protection in Tunisia Sparks Accusations of Political Exploitation
However, Israeli FM Gideon Sa’ar used the incident to call on Tunisia to protect its Jewish citizens. He posted on X:“I strongly condemn today’s attack on a Jew in Djerba, Tunisia. I wish the injured person a speedy recovery.
This comes two years after the deadly attack during Lag BaOmer celebrations, which killed Jews and security officers. I call on Tunisian authorities to take all necessary measures to protect the Jewish community.”
The 2023 attack Sa’ar referred to involved a rogue security officer who attacked the Ghriba Synagogue in Djerba, killing three Tunisian security personnel (including the attacker) and two visitors.
Sa’ar’s post drew sharp criticism in Tunisia, with many accusing him of interfering in the country’s internal affairs and politically exploiting a criminal act between two Tunisian citizens.
Tunisian Officials Reject Israeli FM’s Remarks as Interference and Double Standards on Gaza
MP Fatma Mseddi responded with a strong message to Sa’ar:“It’s strange you remember human values today, while you remain silent about the thousands of Palestinians dying of starvation and bombardment.
The Djerba incident is an internal Tunisian matter handled by state institutions. No one speaks on behalf of Tunisians—not in Djerba or elsewhere. In Tunisia, we do not divide citizens by religion or creed. The assaulted person is a full Tunisian citizen protected by the Tunisian state—not by foreign statements or foreign guardianship. Your comments are not solidarity—they are blatant interference in the affairs of a sovereign state that does not recognize your entity.”
Mustapha Abdelkabir, head of the Tunisian Human Rights Observatory, also stated:“Tunisia is a civil state that does not need lessons on protection based on religion, ethnicity, or descent. Tunisian law applies to all, and citizenship is the only standard.”
Another activist wrote:“A Tunisian Jewish citizen is attacked in Djerba, and the Israeli Foreign Minister responds. Yet, in Gaza, a whole people are being exterminated—children, women, and the elderly—and no Arab minister has issued even a word of condemnation or solidarity.”
