Libyan Jew Reveals Surprising Family Ties to Gaddafi

"Gaddafi's grandmother, the former Libyan leader, was my mother's sister," claims Gita Buarun, an elderly Jewish woman who emigrated from Libya. "She converted to Islam and married a man who became a sheikh. They have children, and he is her grandson. She is considered Jewish since she was born to a Jewish mother."

Muammar Gaddafi was Libya's dictatorial ruler until he was captured and killed by rebel forces.

Buarun recounts that Gaddafi's grandmother first married a Jewish man who moved to Israel and lived in Be'er Sheva, and they had a child together. "I don't know if he is still alive, but I've known about Gaddafi since I was young," Buarun recalls. "I'm not sure if Gaddafi's family is aware of this, but my relatives know about my mother's sister who converted while in Libya. We moved to Israel, but she stayed behind."

For her family, there was no hesitation about moving to Israel. "There's nothing like the Land of Israel," she says with a smile that conveys certainty.

During Gaddafi's reign, when he used his power to target Jews under his rule, Buarun found it surprising. "He always loved the Jews and never did anything to harm them. We never heard him speak ill of Israel. People always said he had ties with Jews, and there was even talk that his son would marry a Jewish woman. It might have already happened. It was in the press. Once he started making negative statements about Jews and Israel, I said, 'Just wait and see; he'll get what he deserves.' Two weeks later, the turmoil and hatred against him began," Buarun recalls.