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19. Jewish-Muslim Relations in Tunisia during World War II: Propaganda, Stereotypes, and Attitudes, 1939–1943
- Indiana University Press
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19 • Jewish- Muslim Relations in Tunisia during World War II Propaganda, Stereotypes, and Attitudes, 1939–1943 Fayçal Cherif Translated by Allan MacVicar Introduction For many centuries, different ethnic and religious communities have coexisted in the geographical area known today as Tunisia. After the region was conquered by the Arabs and it became the vanguard of the Muslim conquest of the Maghrib, Muslims came to form the majority. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals that Jews were strongly anchored in the area, surviving the various transformations this region underwent. From time to time, the generally peace ful coexistence between the Muslim and Jewish communities was threatened by the repercussions of po liti cal changes, crises, and fallout from events taking place both inside and outside of the area. These periodic upheavals tested the mutual understanding between the two communities. This chapter seeks to understand how the relationship between Tunisia’s Mus lim and Jewish communities was affected during a pivotal yet controversial period in Tunisian history: World War II, from the outbreak of the war in Europe in 1939 to the end of the German campaign and the occupation of Tunisia on May 13, 1943. The Situation of Tunisian Jews before the War (April 1938–May 1943) While tensions existed between Jews and Muslims, until the period of the French occupation, which began in 1881, they remained submerged and confrontations between the two communities occurred only occasionally. Tensions rose to the surface, however, as a consequence of French colonial policies in Tunisia 305 306 Fayçal Cherif and the positions Tunisian nationalists took regarding the Palestinian question, which reverberated in both the local and broader Arabic press. Because radio propaganda was only beginning at this time, radio was not a major source of information for Tunisians in 1938. In 1939, however, with the establishment of several different stations, propaganda began to play an important, even decisive role, as will be discussed further below. Paul Azan, commandant supérieur of French troops of Tunisia in 1936, offered this reflection on the situation of the Jewish community of Tunisia at the time: In the Regency of Tunisia, the indigenous Jews are in a better situation than in Algeria or Morocco. They are not conspicuously despised by the Mus lim population and live in harmony with them. They even enjoy some of the same privileges. They can wear a red fez and yellow babouches, which would not be tolerated in Algeria or Morocco. During the early days of the protectorate, the Jews of Tunisia devoted themselves to industry and commerce . Presently, they tend in fairly large numbers to choose professional careers, such as law or medicine, and they fill them up. Some possess considerable fortunes and therefore enjoy a certain influence, but many are very poor and are assisted by Jewish aid. Generally, they quickly adapt to West ern civilization. As they become French, thanks to naturalization, which has, in the main, been granted to them, they exert a growing influence on the appointments of elected bodies, and consequently on the general policies of the Regency.1 Azan’s observations suggest that despite evidence of rising tensions between Muslims and Jews and the social transformation of the Jewish community, the rapport between the two communities remained strong. The relatively harmonious relationship continued even after the radicalization of the Tunisian national movement. The Néo- Destour, the po liti cal party that led Tunisia to independence , advocated showing no mercy in its struggle against colonization. This warlike attitude culminated in the bloody events of 9 April 1938, which resulted in the deaths of 150 Tunisians and the imprisonment of the main po liti cal leaders of Néo- Destour, apparently the most popular party at the time. These events seriously influenced Muslim opinion about French colonialism, yet ties between the Jewish and Muslim communities were not greatly affected. More consequential in the relationships between colonized and colonizer and between Muslims and Jews was the new conflict between the French colonizing power and the fascist states of Europe. The latter held out the promise of a different and decidedly seductive alternative to colonization characterized by liberation, the unity of the Arab- Muslim world, and a new order based on friendship rather than force. This came at a time when the French offered no [100.24.20.141] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 14:40 GMT) Jewish- Muslim Relations in Tunisia during World War II 307 overarching po liti cal plan for Tunisia; the meager reforms of...