AJC: Murderous Jihadist Attack in Tunis

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Mar 18, 2015, 05:02 ET

NEW YORK, March 18, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC extends heartfelt condolences to the Tunisian government and the victims of today's murderous Islamist terror attack at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis. At least 19 were killed and 22 wounded by three gunmen disguised in military uniforms.

"Tunisia's transition to democratic rule has clearly unnerved radical jihadists in the region who exhibit boundless viciousness, slaughtering innocents in the capital of a moderate Arab country, showing such promise after the 'Arab Spring' was launched there in December 2011," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. Tunisia recently held presidential and parliamentary elections and experienced a peaceful rotation of political power.

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid condemned the "cowardly" attack. The dead included 17 tourists from Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain, and two Tunisians.

Several Tunisians were featured in a recent ISIS video threatening that Tunisians would not live securely "as long as Tunisia is not governed by Islam."

AJC has visited Tunisia many times over several decades, meeting with government officials and Jewish community leaders, including the Communaute Juive de Tunisie (CJT), an AJC international partner.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee