Tunisian protesters cause damage to a historic synagogue

A very old synagogue in Tunisia has suffered a lot of damage because of protests against Israel.

A lot of people saw a video and pictures on social media that showed many protesters burning down a synagogue in the city of Al Hammah in Tunisia.

It is believed to have occurred shortly after a powerful explosion in Gaza on Tuesday that caused the deaths of many people. The Arab world mostly blames Israel for this tragic event. Israel said that a Palestinian militant group accidentally launched a rocket.

The synagogue was damaged in protests in 2011 but is now not used for worship. The tomb of a 16th Century rabbi is located in this place, and it used to be an important site where people would go on pilgrimages.

The American Jewish Committee issued a statement on Wednesday.

It was very scared and upset to see the synagogue on fire and being destroyed.

Our main worry is the safety and happiness of Tunisia’s Jewish community. We are carefully watching the situation and staying in touch with community leaders.

Tunisia has had Jewish people living there for a long time – they were there even before Islam or Christianity arrived in North Africa.

Out of the 100,000 people who were there before Israel was made in 1948, only about 1,500 are still here.