Exiled Libyan Jew says synagogue efforts blocked

David Gerbi gestures in front of the main synagogue in Tripoli, Libya, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011.

Πηγή: cbsnews
By AP

Oct 3 2011

TRIPOLI, Libya — A Libyan Jewish man who returned from exile to try to restore Tripoli's main synagogue says he has been blocked from the building a day after knocking down the wall that was blocking its entrance.

A visibly angry David Gerbi says he went to clean garbage from the synagogue on Monday only to be told by men at the scene that they had warnings he would be targeted by violence. He says they told him to stop his efforts.

Gerbi, who fled with his family to Italy in 1967, says he was surprised because he had permission from the local sheik. Gerbi's colleague Richard Peters says several men armed with assault rifles later appeared to guard the building.

Breaking down in tears, Gerbi says Libya needs to decide if it's going to be a racist country or a democratic one.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — A Libyan Jewish man who returned from exile to try to restore Tripoli's main synagogue says he has been blocked from the building a day after knocking down the wall that was blocking its entrance.

A visibly angry David Gerbi says he went to clean garbage from the synagogue on Monday only to be told by men at the scene that they had warnings he would be targeted by violence. He says they told him to stop his efforts.

Gerbi, who fled with his family to Italy in 1967, says he was surprised because he had permission from the local sheik. Gerbi's colleague Richard Peters says several men armed with assault rifles later appeared to guard the building.

Breaking down in tears, Gerbi says Libya needs to decide if it's going to be a rascist country or a democratic one.