2 Jews, Cousins, Killed In Tunisia Terrorist Attack Near Djerba Synagogue

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The two Jews murdered in the terrorist attack in Djerba have been identified as 30-year-old Aviel Haddad of Djerba and his 42-year-old cousin Ben Haddad who lived in France but had come to celebrate Lag Ba’Omer at the ancient synagogue.

The Tunisian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that two visitors had been killed in the attack and four other Jews injured. The incident occurred outside the synagogue where hundreds of people were celebrating the Hilula of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

According to local sources, the oincdent began when a guard at the National Guard naval station killed his friend with his weapon and stole his ammunition. He attempted to reach the synagogue and shot at security guards, who succeeded in neutralizing him. However two security guards were killed in the attack and six injured.

Rabbi Aharon Mazuz, one of the heads of the Djerba community said on Israeli news that “we had a great miracle yesterday. A massacre was prevented after the shooter didn’t enter the shul. This was the third attack on the shul and we are in touch with authorities to improve security measures. No Jew is venturing out in Djerba today, all our businesses are closed”.

Rav Baniel Haddad, a cousin of the two martyrs who used to live in Djerba, told Israeli news outlet Kan that “the relations with our Arab neighbors are fine, there is even friendship. However there are undercurrents of enmity. The event of the Hilula is a central event in the city, attracting people from North Africa, Europe and Israel.

Haddad said that the attendees were detained in the synagogue for hours, adding that his mother and sister were present and were still in deep shock over the incident.