Timeline of Jewish Presence
View chronological details of Jewish life and presence in Libya.
- 312 BCE
First reliable evidence of a Jewish presence in Libya, a small Jewish community immigrated from Egypt.
- 73 BCE
Jews present in Libya. During the 1st Roman-Jewish War a revolt is led by the Jews of Libya.
- 110 CE
Ancient Historian Josephus writes that the Jewish population in Libya reached 500,000. Though the community was decimated by leading revolts against the Roman Empire.
- 100-500 CE
Libyan Jewish Community engages with the local Berber community, absorbing many converts to Judaism.
- 647 CE
Arab armies invade Libya from the East beginning almost 900 years of Arab rule of Libya. Jews living in the Arab empire from as far away as the Arabian Gulf move to Libya.
- 1551
The Jewish population of Libya became significant by the 11th century. Though because of persecution and emigration the Jewish population declined by the time of the Ottoman Conquest of Libya in 1551. Libyan Jews live in relative isolation from other Jewish communities for almost 400 years.
- 1911
Libya is colonized by Italy. Jews are treated pretty well.
- 1930’s
21,000 Jews living in Libya. The Fascist Italian regime passes anti-Semitic laws that cause many Jews to lose government jobs, leave government schools and stamp passports with the words “Jewish race.”
- 1941
25% of Tripoli is Jewish, 44 synagogues exist.
- 1942
Benghazi’s Jewish Quarter is occupied by the Nazi’s and more than 2,000 Jews are deported and sent to labor camps, 1/5 ultimately perish.
- 1945
Following WWII, more than 140 Jews are killed, and even more injured in a pogrom in Tripoli. Rioters destroy and loot the synagogues in the city as well as hundreds of homes and businesses.
- 1948
Anti-Jewish rioters kill 12 and destroy 280 homes. The Jews fight back and prevent dozens of other deaths.
- 1949-1951
Majority of Jews leave Libya. 30,972 Jews immigrate to Israel.
- 1958
Jewish community council is dissolved by law in Libya.
- 1961
New law requires a special permit to prove Libyan citizenship. All but six Jews denied citizenship.
- 1967
The Jewish population in Libya decreases to 7,000. Following the Six Day War between Israel and its Arab neighbors, anti-Jewish riots commence. King Idris I urges Jews to leave Libya, after a request is made by Jewish community leaders. The Italian navy helps to airlift 6,000 Jews and relocate them to Rome. The evacuees leave their homes, businesses and possessions behind.
- 1969
Only 100 Jews remain in Libya. Muammar al-Gaddafi comes into power. Jewish property is confiscated, Jewish debts canceled and emigration for Jews becomes legally prohibited.
- 1974
20 Jews remain in Libya.
- 2004
No Jews left in Libya. Gaddafi states that Jews who were forced to leave country will be compensated, except for those who immigrated to Israel.
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