The next influx of Jewish people to the Island of Djerba was during the Spanish Inquisition , when the Iberian Jewish population was no longer welcome and were forced to leave . The Jewish population hit its peak during the time that Tunisia was fighting for independence from France 1881-1956 In 1940 there were approximately 100,000 Jewish-Tunisians or 15 % of the entire population of Tunisia . In the aftermath of World War II , the Jewish population on the island declined significantly due to emigration to Israel and France . , the Jewish permanent resident community on the island numbered about 1,000 , but many return annually on pilgrimage . However , once the State of Israel was established , and political unrest in the Middle East and North Africa was building up many Jewish people left Tunisia . Although the Jewish community of Tunisia was on the decline , the Jewish community of Hara Kebira witnessed an increase of population due to its traditional character . Despite this , the community on Djerba remains one of the last remaining fully intact Jewish communities in an Arab majority country after most were abandoned in the face of anti-Israel and antisemitic pressure and pogroms . The mostly traditionally observant Jewish community is growing because of large natural families despite emigration and a new Orthodox Jewish school for girls has recently been inaugurated on the Island to serve alongside the two boy 's yeshiva schools . According to the '' Wall Street Journal '' " Relations between Jews and Muslims are complex — proper and respectful , though not especially close . Jewish men work alongside Arab merchants in the souk , for example , and enjoy amiable ties with Muslim customers . " The conflict that historically has occurred between Muslims and Jewish people does not happen in Djerba . The people of Djerba attribute this quality to the fact that all people of the Island were at some point Jewish and therefore share similar practices in their way of life . Some of these Jewish practices that can be seen in Muslim households in Djerba are the lighting of candles on Friday night , and the suspending of matzot on the ceiling from one spring to the next . The Jewish and Muslim communities coexist very peacefully in Djerba even during the political unrest in regards to the Palestinian and Israeli conflict . The people of Djerba say that the two communities simply pray in different places , but they are still able to converse . A Jewish leader once stated " We live together , We visit our friends on their religious holidays . We work together . Muslims buy meat from our butchers . when we are forbidden to work or cook on the Shabbat , we buy bread and kosher food cooking by Muslims . Our children play together " . On April 11 , 2002 , Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for a truck bomb attack close to the famous synagogue , killing 21 people ( 14 German tourists , 5 Tunisians and 2 French nationals ) . Although tourists ceased visiting Djerba for some time after this event , normal activity has since resumed
truck bomb attack
Ghriba synagogue bombing
Djerba