Maghrebi Jews

Maghrebi Jews (in Hebrew Maghrebim or ) are Jews who had traditionally lived in the Maghreb region of North Africa (al-Maghrib, Arabic for "the west") under Arab rule during the Middle Ages. Established Jewish communities had existed in North Africa long before the arrival of Sephardi Jews, expelled from Spain. The oldest Jewish communities were present during Roman times and possibly as early as within Punic colonies of the Ancient Carthage period. Maghrebi Jews largely mixed with the newly arrived Sephardic Jews, beginning from 13th century until 16th century, eventually being overwhelmed by Sephardics and embracing the Sephardic Jewish identity in most cases.