Libya moves to protect heritage after unauthorised synagogue entry

Libyan authorities have detained two Orthodox Jewish men holding Israeli and Russian citizenship after they attempted to access a sensitive heritage site in Tripoli without prior approval.

The information was reported by Hodhod, a network that monitors Israeli media. According to the network, the men were taken into custody nearly three weeks ago after one of them allegedly tried to enter a synagogue without completing the procedures required under Libyan law.

Hebrew-language media cited by the network said that both men were held in accordance with established legal procedures and were released after eleven days. Their release was coordinated with the Russian consulate in Tripoli, and the two men were subsequently deported to Moscow. Libyan officials described the steps taken as routine measures that apply to all foreign nationals who violate entry regulations or attempt to access controlled sites without permission.

Israel’s i24NEWS reported that one of the detainees, a Russian-based Jew, had crossed into Libya from Tunisia while travelling in the region. His family reportedly lost contact with him shortly after he entered Libyan territory, which raised concern. A source familiar with the case told the channel that he was detained after attempting to pray inside a synagogue in Tripoli without first seeking authorisation from the Libyan authorities responsible for safeguarding historic and religious sites. According to the report, his release followed diplomatic coordination with Russian officials.

Images shared online have shown scaffolding inside the Dar Bishi synagogue, which is one of the last remaining Jewish heritage sites in Libya. The images prompted reactions among Libyan Jews living abroad, who expressed concern that the building might be altered or repurposed. Libyan authorities have not announced any redevelopment plans and maintain that all work conducted at heritage sites is carried out under national preservation rules designed to protect culturally sensitive locations.

Dar Bishi is considered one of the few historic structures that may still be restored. Many other synagogues in Libya were removed or converted for different uses during earlier periods, leaving Dar Bishi among the last surviving sites of its kind.