Tunisian Jewish pilgrimage sees low turnout amid security fears

The three-day pilgrimage to the Ghriba synagogue, Africa's oldest, usually draws thousands of pilgrims from Europe, Israel and beyond. It also attracts a significant number of international and local tourists and non-observant visitors.

But this year's festivities have seen fewer visitors and almost no foreigners, while security measures have been bolstered with an increased police presence.

Plainclothes police officers and National Guardsmen barred AFP reporters and other visitors from entering the ancient synagogue.

"No one enters, except Jewish people," a National Guard officer told an AFP correspondent.

Authorities did not say how many pilgrims had arrived, but officers on Djerba said turnout by Friday morning was lower than usual.

Last month, organisers of the pilgrimage, set to last until Sunday, said this year's event "will be limited" due to safety concerns over the ongoing war in Gaza which has sent tensions soaring across the region.

They also cited an attack during last year's pilgrimage which killed five people.

May 9, 2023, a Tunisian policeman opened fire, shooting dead three police officers and two pilgrims, during the festival that had resumed a year earlier after a Covid-19 halt.

An organiser, speaking on condition of anonymity, had told AFP that "everything will take place inside the synagogue" for safety.

The usual outdoors celebrations, drawing thousands of people including non-Jews, will not take place this year, the organiser had said, but pilgrims would still pray and light candles inside the temple.

The pilgrimage is at the heart of Jewish tradition in Tunisia, where only about 1,500 members of the faith still live -- mainly on Djerba.

Organisers say more than 5,000 people, mostly from abroad, joined last year's pilgrimage, whereas up to 8,000 pilgrims attended in previous years.