Barely 30 Jews made Ghariba pilgrimage over war in Gaza

Djerba (Tunisia), May 26 (EFE) - The Jewish pilgrimage of the Ghariba, on the Tunisian island of Djerba (south), is no stranger to what is happening in the Gaza Strip, more than 2,000 kilometres away, and this year it is being celebrated in its minimum expression despite the fervour of the faithful. The organisation announced to suspend the festivities in solidarity with the victims, who today number more than 35,900 dead and 80,000 wounded, and to maintain only its religious ceremony.

In 2023, this temple, one of the oldest on the African continent, was the scene of a shooting in which two pilgrims, a Frenchman and a Tunisian of Israeli nationality, and three members of the security forces were killed. Although the authorities ruled out a ‘terrorist’ attack from the outset, they have not yet revealed the results of the investigation into the perpetrator, an agent of the National Maritime Guard.

CAMERA: NATALIA ROMÁN MORTE

FOOTAGE OF THE GHARIBA PILGRIMAGE TO THE ISLAND OF JERBA, TUNISIA. SOUNDBITES OF SOME OF THE PILGRIMS.

TRANSLATION:

Woman placing candles and talking on the phone: ‘Ibai, make a wish. Aretz this is for you, make a wish. Next year we will all be here, God willing’.

Nicole, Sabrine and Mireille, pilgrims from France: ‘This year we were not going to come, we were very stressed and afraid. A knot in our stomach, honestly. We didn't know whether to come or not and at the last minute we decided that we couldn't not come. We came during the intifada, when there was an attack... we have always come. We needed it. We filled ourselves with vitamins from the Ghariba and blessings for a whole year’.

René Trabelsi, former Minister of Tourism: ‘People are reluctant to travel and make pilgrimages during this sensitive period. We are going to pray and pray, because we always make wishes to the Ghariba, that there will be peace in the world and that this war will stop and that people will come to their senses’.

Saida, local pilgrim: ‘It gives me the creeps, you know what I mean? I feel sorry for the Ghariba because her fortune is good and we love her. We are waiting for her with impatience.

Haddad Perez, member of the Ghariba organising committee: ‘It's something we hold on to. It is part of our identity. Just as I am Tunisian, the Ghariba is also part of me. When I am here, it is my safe place.