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Tunisia eases Israelis entry, orders Jewish cemetery renovation

By: Sultan Ahmed

TUNIS, Tunisia: Tunisian president Zine Al-Abidin Ben Ali ordered facilitation of the measures provided for the entry of Israelis wishing to visit Tunisia.

The Israeli daily Haaretz reported this week adding that the decision was taken at a request by the Grater Rabbi in France Youssef Setroiuk and the Jewish- French businessman Pierre Beisnano who visited Tunisia recently and held meeting with President Ben Ali.

“President Ben Ali responded to their request and notified them that as from now those who carry Israeli passports will not be asked to leave their passports upon entering the country as it is the case and will be treated like other foreigners,” Beisnano was quoted by the paper as saying.

According to the report there are now no diplomatic relations between Israel and Tunisia and no direct air flights. The Israelis wishing to visit Tunisia can ask for entry visas from the Tunisian embassies all over the world.

Ben Ali following his meeting with each of Setrouk and Beisnano gave instructions to renovate the old Jewish cemetery in Tunis, the capital. Ben Ali indicated to his two guests he will invite the Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom, of Tunisian origin, and leader of the Labor party Shimon Peres to visit his country.

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