In the wake of the desecration of a Jewish sage’s grave, Tunisian
President Beji Caid Essebsi promised a European rabbinical body he would
protect his country’s Jews.
Essebsi, who won the country’s presidential election last year, made the
pledge this week during a meeting with Rabbi Moche Lewin, who was in the
country as a delegate of the European Conference of Rabbis.
“I will not return Tunisia to the days of dictatorial rule but will
firmly protect all citizens and the Jewish community and its institutions,”
Essebsi told Lewin, who was part of a delegation of foreign faith leaders and
dignitaries attending a rally commemorating the death last week of 22 people,
many of them tourists, in an attack by Islamists in Tunisia.
