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The Italian conquest of Libya in 1911 initially brought the Libyan Jews equal rights, but those rights were eroded by Italy’s subsequent alliance with Germany and the imposition of the Racial Laws of 1938. During World War II, control of North Africa shifted back and forth between Italy and Britain. With every British reverse, the Jews’ situation deteriorated. Thousands were deported to brutal labor and internment camps in the desert.60:{"position":4,"content":"$61"} 62:{"position":5,"content":"The British liberated the country in late 1942, but the result was a new phase of persecution that led to the Jewish community’s demise. In 1945, Muslim pogroms killed hundreds of Jews and destroyed their homes, shops and synagogues; British occupation forces stood by. On the verge of Libyan independence in 1951, Prime Minister Mahmud Muntasser was frank: He could see “no future” for Jews in Libya. Between 1949 and 1951, some 30,000 Libyan Jews left their ancient home for Israel."} 63:{"position":6,"content":"With the rise of Arab nationalism and the permanent state of war against Israel, the remaining 8,000 Libyan Jews were systematically stripped of their rights as Libyan citizens. They were barred from having passports, visiting Israel, and serving in public office. Jewish schools and communal organizations were closed. Jews were banned from obtaining the nationality certificates required for engagement in commerce, and in 1961 the government sequestered the property of Jews who emigrate

Jewish Ideas Daily: Libya and the Jews

Islamist involvement in the revolution does not bode well for Jews and Israel.