A history of force displacement
Since 1948, roughly 850,000–1,000,000 Jews lived in Arab countries at the start of that period, but the number declined dramatically over the decades due to expulsions, persecution, and migration — mostly to Israel, but also to Europe and the Americas.
Here’s a breakdown of the situation:
- Before 1948 — There were ancient Jewish communities across the Arab world: Iraq (~135k), Egypt (~75k), Yemen (~55k), Morocco (~250k–300k), Algeria (~140k), Tunisia (~105k), Libya (~38k), Syria (~30k), Lebanon (~5k), plus smaller numbers in Bahrain, Sudan, and others.
- 1948 onward — Following the creation of Israel and the Arab–Israeli war, many Jews were expelled or fled. Between 1948 and the early 1970s, over 90% of these Jews left their home countries.
- Today — Fewer than 5,000 Jews remain in all Arab countries combined, with most concentrated in Morocco and Tunisia.
Time line which shows the decline of the jew population
1948 – Peak of Jewish population
- Total Jews in Arab countries: ~850,000–1,000,000
- Largest communities: Morocco (~250k–300k), Iraq (~135k), Algeria (~140k), Egypt (~75k), Tunisia (~105k), Yemen (~55k), Libya (~38k), Syria (~30k).
- Context: Creation of the State of Israel, Arab–Israeli war. In many countries, anti-Jewish riots, property confiscations, and loss of citizenship begin.
1948–1951 – First mass exodus
Key events:
- 1948–1951: Operation Magic Carpet — 49,000 Yemenite Jews airlifted to Israel.
- 1950–1951: Operation Ezra and Nehemiah — 120,000 Iraqi Jews flown to Israel.
- Egypt, Libya, and Syria also see large departures.
Population: Drops from ~850k to ~650k.
1956 – Suez Crisis & expulsions
Key events:
- Britain, France, and Israel attack Egypt after Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal.
- Egyptian Jews (about 25k remaining) face expulsions, internment, and property confiscations.
- Libya and Syria tighten restrictions on Jews.
Population: ~500k.
1961–1967 – Algeria’s independence & Six-Day War
Key events:
- 1962: Algeria gains independence; ~130,000 Algerian Jews (mostly French citizens) leave for France.
- 1967: Six-Day War triggers anti-Jewish riots across the Arab world. Mass departures from Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.
- Libya expels its remaining Jews (~4k).
Population: ~300k by 1968.
1970s – Decline continues
Key events:
- Remaining Jews in Syria, Iraq, and Egypt face restrictions on emigration.
- Gradual migration from Morocco and Tunisia to Israel, France, Canada.
Population: ~100k by 1979.
1980s–1990s – Almost all gone
Key events:
- 1991: Operation Solomon airlifts Ethiopian Jews via Sudan (small Arab involvement).
- Iraq’s Jewish population falls to fewer than 100.
- Yemen still has a few hundred Jews in isolated villages.
Population: ~8k–10k by 1995.
2000s–2010s – Near extinction of communities
Key events:
- Arab Spring unrest causes final waves of departure.
- Yemen’s remaining Jews targeted by Houthi rebels; some rescued in secret operations.
- Population: ~4,000–5,000, mostly in Morocco and Tunisia.
Today (2025)
- Morocco: ~2,000–2,500
- Tunisia: ~1,000–1,200
- Egypt: ~20–30
- Yemen: fewer than 10
- Iraq, Syria, Libya, Algeria, Bahrain, others: fewer than 10 each
Total in Arab countries: ~3,000–4,000