Journal Article

Resurrecting Maghreb Pluriel?: Jews and Postauthoritarian Tunisia

Rohde, Achim

2023

Overview

The Tunisian revolution of 2011 marked a partial reconfiguration of the political elite and the beginning of a protracted democratization process whose long-term success is far from secured. In this article, I discuss societal/political/cultural transformations toward democracy in Tunisia since 2011 through the prism of its tiny Jewish minority. The perceived homogeneity of Tunisian society has come under increasing scrutiny since the revolution, and this includes a heightened visibility of the country's Jewish community and a degree of public debate on related topics. I focus on three cases: the preservation of Jewish cultural heritage, the demise of an NGO designed to fight racism and antisemitism in Tunisia, and the commemoration of the German occupation of Tunisia during World War II. Addressing contemporary Tunisian history \"from the margins\" enables a more nuanced understanding of political struggles that accompany processes of de-/re-territorializing Tunisian collective identities.

• Publisher: Indiana University Press
• Subject: 2011 AD / 20th century / Antisemitism / Bourguiba, Habib / Citizenship / Civil society / Colonialism / Commemoration / Cultural heritage / Cultural property protection / Cultural property, Protection of / Culture / Democracy / Democratization / Ethnic identity / Field study / France / French colonialism / Germany / Group identity / Homogeneity / Israel / Jewish life & ethics / Jewish people / Jews / Middle East / Mohammet, Bilali / Morocco / Multiculturalism & pluralism / Muslims / Nation building / NGOs / Nongovernmental organizations / Northern Africa / Palestinian Territories / Political activism / Political change / Political elites / Politics / Postcolonialism / Preservation / Racism / Revolutions / Saïed, Kaïs / Scrutiny / Social aspects / Tunisia / United Kingdom / Visibility / World War II