Libya: timeline

View chronological details of Jewish life and presence in Libya.

312 BCE
Ptolemy I settles Jews in Cyrenaica, in eastern Libya.
73 BCE
Jews present in Libya. During the 1st Roman-Jewish War a revolt is led by the Jews of Libya.
110 CE
Ancient Historian Josephus writes that the Jewish population in Libya reached 500,000. Though the community was decimated by leading revolts against the Roman Empire.
115 CE
The Jews of Cyrene revolt against Rome; the community is devastated.
100-500 CE
Libyan Jewish Community engages with the local Berber community, absorbing many converts to Judaism.
647 CE
Arab armies invade Libya from the East beginning almost 900 years of Arab rule of Libya. Jews living in the Arab empire from as far away as the Arabian Gulf move to Libya.
1551
The Jewish population of Libya became significant by the 11th century. Though because of persecution and emigration the Jewish population declined by the time of the Ottoman Conquest of Libya in 1551. Libyan Jews live in relative isolation from other Jewish communities for almost 400 years.
1911
Italy seizes Libya.
1938
21,000 Jews living in Libya. Fascist Italy's racial laws push Jews out of schools and government jobs. Jew leave government schools and have passports stamped with the words “Jewish race.”
1941
25% of Tripoli is Jewish, 44 synagogues exist.
1942
About 2,600 Jews from Cyrenaica are sent to the Giado camp, where 562 die; Jews with British citizenship are deported to Europe.
1945
On November 5 to 7, rioters kill more than 140 Jews and destroy nine synagogues.
1948
Riots kill 12 Jews and destroy 280 homes; Jewish self defense groups fight back.
1949-1951
More than 30,000 Jews, most of the community, leave for Israel.
1958
The Jewish Community Council is dissolved under law, and new laws restrict citizenship and property.
1961
New law requires a special permit to prove Libyan citizenship. All but six Jews denied citizenship.
1967
The Jewish population in Libya decreases to 7,000. Following the Six Day War between Israel and its Arab neighbors, anti-Jewish riots commence killing 18 Jews. King Idris I urges Jews to leave Libya, after a request is made by Jewish community leaders. The Italian navy helps to airlift 6,000 Jews and relocate them to Rome. The evacuees leave their homes, businesses and possessions behind.
1969
Only 100 Jews remain in Libya. Muammar al-Gaddafi comes into power. Jewish property is confiscated, Jewish debts canceled and emigration for Jews becomes legally prohibited.
1974
20 Jews remain in Libya. Gaddafi's government confiscates Jewish property.
2004
No Jews left in Libya. Gaddafi states that Jews who were forced to leave country will be compensated, except for those who immigrated to Israel.