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Bey of Tunis Receives Jewish Delegation; Decorates Chief Rabbi

August 2, 1955
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The Bey of Tunis today conferred one of his government’s highest decorations upon Chief Rabbi Moise Cohen. The ceremony took place when a Jewish delegation called on the Bey to pay its respects on the occasion of the Aid el-Kebir, important Moslem holiday. The holiday’s first day fell on Saturday, but the Bey permitted the Jewish delegation to postpone its call so that it would not be in the position of having to break its own Sabbath observance.

A number of Jewish communities in Southern Tunisia have, to all intents and purposes, been liquidated through emigration of their members to Israel, it was reported here today. Among the communities in this category are: Zarzis, Medenine, Foum-Tataouine and Matmata. On the island of Djerba, whose Jewish community is said to date back to the time of the destruction of the First Temple of Jerusalem, a great many Jews have left for Israel.

Reports received here of attacks on Jewish bathers at Tunisian coastal beaches have caused the police to institute more stringent measures to protect them. While it is still too early to know the effects of the police campaign, it is hoped that the attackers, identified as bands of young Moslems, will be captured or frightened off.

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