New President Calls For Tunisia’s Jews To Return

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia’s newly elected president has called for the country’s Jewish population to return.

The state news agency reported Monday that President Moncef Marzouk had told the country’s Grand Rabbi Haim Bittan that Tunisia’s Jews are full citizens.

Tunisia presently has a Jewish population of 1,500, but in the 1960s there were 100,000. Most left following the 1967 war between Israel and Arab countries and also due to government policy.

Marzouki also met with the top Christian and Muslim figures on Monday. He was elected last week.

Tunisians overthrew their dictator in January, with an Islamist party taking the most votes in the subsequent election.

The Islamists have formed a new government with two left wing parties.