TUNIS, Tunisia — A tragic incident occurred when a man set himself on fire in front of the Grand Synagogue located in the capital of Tunisia, resulting in his death and injuries to a police officer and a nearby bystander, according to the Interior Ministry. This distressing act took place on Friday evening, coinciding with the time when the synagogue was holding its Sabbath prayers.

The Interior Ministry explained in their statement that the individual, while engulfed in flames, approached a police officer. In an attempt to safeguard his colleague, a second officer discharged his weapon, leading to the injuries sustained by both the officer and the passerby. Reports indicate that both victims suffered burns and were subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment.

Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the man or provided any insights into the reasons behind this tragic event, mentioning only that he was dealing with unspecified psychological challenges.

Historically, Tunisia has been home to a vibrant Jewish community, though its numbers have dwindled to approximately 1,500 individuals today. The Jewish heritage sites in the country have, unfortunately, faced attacks in the past. In a notable incident earlier this year, a national guardsman killed five people during an assault on the ancient El-Ghriba synagogue on Djerba Island, which is a site of significant pilgrimage. Later that same year, pro-Palestinian demonstrators vandalized a historic synagogue in El Hamma, and previously, a garden outside a synagogue in Sfax was set on fire.

Tunisia’s journey has also been significantly impacted by the self-immolation of street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi in 2010. His act was a cry against socio-economic hardship, corruption, and authoritarian rule, spurring wide-scale protests that culminated in the ouster of the then-ruler. This event marked the beginning of the Arab Spring, igniting similar uprisings across various nations in the region.