Violence against Jews in the Middle East (1785-1948)
A Historical Timeline of Persecution and Violence
This timeline documents significant incidents of violence against Jewish communities in the Middle East and North Africa between 1785 and 1948, prior to the establishment of the State of Israel. These events highlight the long history of persecution, forced displacement, and violence Jewish communities faced in the region, providing important historical context to understanding the complex relations in the region today.
Timeline of Violence Against Jews (1785-1948)
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1785 – Libya
Ali Burzi Pasha murdered hundreds of Jews in a mass killing that decimated the Jewish community under Ottoman rule.
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1805, 1815, 1830 – Algiers, Algeria
Multiple massacres of Jews occurred during these years. Properties were looted and destroyed during repeated attacks amid political instability, severely impacting the Jewish population.
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1828 – Baghdad, Iraq
Several Jews were executed under false charges of attempting to convert Muslims. These unjust killings were based on religious accusations without evidence.
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1830 – Tabriz, Iran
Most of the Jewish population was killed or forced to flee in this large-scale violence resulting in deaths and displacement.
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1830 – Shiraz, Iran
Jews were forced to convert to Islam under duress, violating their freedom of religion and right to practice their faith.
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1834 – Egypt
Attacks on Jews and destruction of synagogues under Muhammad Ali Pasha occurred during modernization efforts, resulting in violence and destruction of religious sites.
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1834 – Jerusalem
Violent attacks, looting, and desecration of synagogues during the Peasants’ Revolt targeted violence against Jews amid broader unrest.
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1834 – Safed, Ottoman Palestine
A month-long attack by local Arab and Druze villagers resulted in extensive looting, killing, and destruction. This prolonged assault caused significant casualties and property damage.
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1839 – Iran
The AllaHdad Pogrom targeted Jews with violent attacks resulting in deaths and community destruction.
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1840 – Damascus, Syria
Several Jews were arrested, tortured, and executed following blood libel accusations. These false accusations led to unjust imprisonment, torture, and executions in what became known as the Damascus Affair.
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1844 – Cairo, Egypt
Attack on Jewish neighborhood resulted in numerous deaths and destruction of homes and businesses in targeted violence against the community.
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1848 – Damascus, Syria
Violence following accusations of ritual murder led to the destruction of Jewish properties and synagogues. These attacks were based on antisemitic blood libel myths, resulting in significant community damage.
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1857 – Tunis, Tunisia
A Jewish woman was killed by a mob, sparking wider violence. This single incident escalated to broader attacks on the Jewish community.
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1858 – Aden, Yemen
Violent assaults on the Jewish community resulted in numerous deaths and property damage with attacks resulting in fatalities and destruction of Jewish-owned property.
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1864 – Fez, Morocco
Dozens of Jews were murdered while homes were destroyed and property was looted in deadly riots with significant property destruction.
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1864-1880 – Marrakesh and other parts of Morocco
More than 300 Jews were murdered over 16 years in an extended period of recurring violence against Jewish communities throughout Morocco.
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1871 – Damanhur, Egypt
Riot targeting the Jewish community resulted in significant violence and property damage in a focused attack on the Jewish neighborhood.
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1875 – Safi, Morocco
Anti-Jewish riot resulted in several deaths and property destruction with violent outbursts causing fatalities and damage to Jewish-owned property.
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1890 – Tripoli, Libya
Violent attacks on Jews resulted in murders and destruction of synagogues in deadly assaults and deliberate destruction of religious sites.
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1920 – Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine
The Nebi Musa Riots resulted in 5 Jews killed and hundreds injured in deadly violence that marked the steady escalation of Arab-Jewish tensions in the Mandate.
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1921 – Jaffa, Mandatory Palestine
The Jaffa Riots resulted in 47 Jews killed and many more injured in significant loss of life during intercommunal violence.
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1929 – Hebron, Mandatory Palestine
67 Jews were killed, including women and children, with many others injured in this mass killing that was part of the wider 1929 Palestine riots.
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1929 – Safed, Mandatory Palestine
18 Jews were killed with extensive property damage in this deadly attack that occurred concurrent with the Hebron massacre.
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1936-1939 – Mandatory Palestine
The Arab Revolt resulted in numerous Jewish casualties from bombings, shootings, and assaults during an extended period of violence targeting Jewish communities.
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1938 – Beisan (Beit She’an), Mandatory Palestine
Several Jews were killed and Jewish property was destroyed in this deadly attack during the broader Arab Revolt.
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1941 – Baghdad, Iraq
The Farhud Pogrom resulted in 170-180 Jews killed and over 900 injured in this large-scale pogrom with significant casualties.
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1945 – Tripoli, Libya
130 Jews were killed over three days of violence in this deadly pogrom that occurred in the aftermath of World War II.
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1947 – Haifa, Mandatory Palestine
The Haifa Oil Refinery Massacre resulted in 39 Jewish workers killed and 49 injured in this targeted attack following the UN partition plan.
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1947 – Jerusalem, Mandatory Palestine
70 Jews were killed in riots following the UN partition vote in this deadly violence that erupted in response to the partition plan.
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1948 – Lydda (Lod), Mandatory Palestine
Arab forces killed numerous Jewish residents, causing a mass exodus of Jews from the town during the killings and forced displacement that occurred during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
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1948 – Kfar Etzion, Mandatory Palestine
Arab forces killed 127 Jewish residents in this mass killing of civilians and surrendered defenders.
Historical Context
This chronology documents a pattern of violence against Jewish communities across the Middle East and North Africa that predates the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The incidents listed here represent documented cases of persecution, violence, and forced displacement of Jewish communities who had lived in these regions for centuries.
These historical events provide important context for understanding the complex history of Jewish communities in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the factors that contributed to the mass exodus of Jews from these regions in the mid-20th century.
By the time Israel was established in 1948, approximately 850,000 Jews were forced to flee from Arab and Muslim countries where their communities had existed for millennia. This timeline helps document the escalating pattern of violence that preceded these mass displacements.