Jews living in Muslim-ruled Algeria
Jewish Algerian couple around 1858
Ashkenazi Jews often have the misconception that Sephardi Jews did not suffer from anti-Semitism in North Africa.
It is true that anti-Semitism in the countries of Europe since the Middle Ages, which was systematic and virulent, has no equivalent in North Africa: there have been massacres of Jewish people from time to time, but nothing like the Spanish Inquisition, Russian pogroms or the Holocaust.
Do not imagine, however, that the Jews living in Algeria lived a dream situation, devoid of violence or humiliation. They were called Dhimmis, which is the Arabic term to refer to non-Muslim population
living in Islamic conquered land. As such, the Jews were considered second-class citizens subjected to dictatorial deprivation of any legal and human rights since they were non-Muslims. They had to pay various taxes and tolls, give deference to their Muslim neighbors, and were subjected to all kinds of daily humiliations.
It is true that anti-Semitism in the countries of Europe since the Middle Ages, which was systematic and virulent, has no equivalent in North Africa: there have been massacres of Jewish people from time to time, but nothing like the Spanish Inquisition, Russian pogroms or the Holocaust.
Do not imagine, however, that the Jews living in Algeria lived a dream situation, devoid of violence or humiliation. They were called Dhimmis, which is the Arabic term to refer to non-Muslim population
living in Islamic conquered land. As such, the Jews were considered second-class citizens subjected to dictatorial deprivation of any legal and human rights since they were non-Muslims. They had to pay various taxes and tolls, give deference to their Muslim neighbors, and were subjected to all kinds of daily humiliations.
French Colonization (1830 - 1962)
French colonization of Algeria
In 1830, France colonizes Algeria, at once giving Jews the same rights as Muslims. Algeria counted at the time 15 000 Jews, 80% of them living in cities.
They were 6 500 in Alger which represented 20% of the population of the city.
In 1870, Adolphe Crémieux – a Jewish French Secretary of State- edicts a decree giving full citizenship to every Algerian of European lineage.
This includes mostly Jews, but not exclusively (some European of Spanish, Italian or Maltese origins became French too). These French people living in Algeria will later be called "Pieds-Noirs" (Blackfoot).
Jews in Algeria are overjoyed by this decree that not only protects them from their Muslim neighbors, but gives them access to French Education and Culture as well. They embrace French civilization with enthusiasm, almost immediately dressing, speaking or thinking like French people.
Eventually, this decree will unfortnately create a gap even bigger between Jews and Muslims, culminating with the expulsion of the Jews from Algeria in 1962.
They were 6 500 in Alger which represented 20% of the population of the city.
In 1870, Adolphe Crémieux – a Jewish French Secretary of State- edicts a decree giving full citizenship to every Algerian of European lineage.
This includes mostly Jews, but not exclusively (some European of Spanish, Italian or Maltese origins became French too). These French people living in Algeria will later be called "Pieds-Noirs" (Blackfoot).
Jews in Algeria are overjoyed by this decree that not only protects them from their Muslim neighbors, but gives them access to French Education and Culture as well. They embrace French civilization with enthusiasm, almost immediately dressing, speaking or thinking like French people.
Eventually, this decree will unfortnately create a gap even bigger between Jews and Muslims, culminating with the expulsion of the Jews from Algeria in 1962.
