Can Jewish Minister in Tunisia Bring Israel Closer? скачать в хорошем качестве

Can Jewish Minister in Tunisia Bring Israel Closer?

NEWS DESK | After Israel's 1948 War of Independence, hundreds of thousands of Jews were exiled from their homes in Arab and North African countries, and those who remained suffered heavy persecution. But In Tunisia, a North African country recently democratized during the 2011 Arab Spring, there is now a Jewish minister in the cabinet. Our Emily Rose has the story. In a turning point for Tunisia - Jewish Businessman Rene Trabelsi is named minister of tourism. 'I think my nomination is a message. I was told by people in government that it was time for someone from the a Tunisian Jew from the private sector to take over the tourism ministry,' Tabelsi explains. 'We have a lot of talented people here in Tunisia, but Tunisian Jews, as you know, have more than 3,000 years of history behind them.' Once a vibrant community of over 100,000 individuals, home to hundreds of synagogues, Jewish scholars and newspapers, Tunisia's Jewish population decreased dramatically in the 1950s and 60s. The establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 sparked a harsh reaction in the Arab world, causing Jews to leave Tunisia en masse due to the hostile environment. And what is now left of that community is 700-2,000 individuals. But Trabelsi's appointment as the first Jewish minister in decades may mark a shift in the way Tunisia views its minorities. 'I think Tunisia has always been at the forefront of being open and sort of also for instance giving women a bigger and stronger role as compared to other countries in the Arab world,' Monclair State University Assistant Professor Arnaud Kurze says. The businessman had worked to highlight Tunisia's vibrant Jewish heritage and gained acclaim for an organizer for an annual pilgrimage to the oldest synagogue in Africa. 'There should be no restrictions on tourism in Tunisia. People from everywhere should be able to come here. Tunisia is not a seasonal tourism country,' Trabelsi says. And just eight years after uprisings in Tunisia, which brought an end to the reign of president Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, the economy faces a rocky road to recovery. 'Today, we can see that in six or seven years only, Tunisia has already recovered. Tourism is working once more, and tourists are flocking into Tunisia. This means Tunisia is different from other Arab countries, or even European countries,' Trabelsi explains. With Trabelsi's appointment comes some hope Tunisia will establish diplomatic ties with the Jewish state of Israel. 'Look, it is a sensitive subject and a purely political matter. As Rene Trabelsi, minister of tourism, I have to follow the line of my government. I would add that Tunisia has been historically committed to peace in the Middle East, since the time of Bourguiba, to today, even during the Ben Ali period,' Taebsli states. He adds, 'The Palestinian cause is close to our hearts — that is true, and we have served it well. But our message is to look for peace. The notion of peace is very important in Tunisian culture.' And experts say this hope may still be out of grasp. 'Probably, from an Israeli perspective, the one thing Tunisians remain united around is the opposition to any form of normalization with Israel right now,' claims Hebrew University's Daniel Zisenwine. But Trabelsi remains hopeful for the future of Tunisia. 'There is one challenge in 2019: We have to inspire hope and trust for Tunisia in Tunisians. We have to convince them that leaving the country is a mistake,' says Trabelsi. 'Believe me, if I am in Tunisia today, if I accepted this position, it is because there is a future in Tunisia.' For more, see our ⬇ Website Articles: https://www.i24news.tv/en Live: https://video.i24news.tv/page/live?cl... (Subscription) Replay: https://video.i24news.tv/page/5a97b81... (Subscription) Social Media Facebook:   / i24newsen   Twitter:   / i24news_en   Instagram:   / i24news