Several Jews residing in Morocco have expressed their joy following Morocco’s decision to normalize its relations with Israel. They did so through posts on social networks or statements to national and foreign media, broadcast on international channels.
Some Jews in Casablanca celebrated, a few days ago, the normalization agreement between the two countries in a virtual celebration broadcast on the Zoom platform. U.S. Ambassador David Fischer participated in the event, as well as Moroccan Jews from around the world, including comedian Gad Elmaleh and Rabbi Levi Banon.
The celebration coincided with the Hanukkah, or Festival of Lights, which Jews celebrate by lighting eight candles to commemorate the inauguration of the second temple. It was a good omen for them this year, since the agreement between the Kingdom and the Hebrew state was announced simultaneously with the lighting of the first candle of the Hanukkah.
The number of Jews currently residing in Morocco is about 3,000, up from more than 250,000 in the 1940s and 1950s. Indeed, they left the country to settle in Israel, France, Canada, the United States or other countries of the world, directly after the creation of Israel in 1948 and the outbreak of acts of hostility towards them in several of the Muslim countries where they resided.
Jews of Moroccan origin constitute a significant percentage of Israel’s citizens. Over the years, they have managed to gain power in Israeli society by holding senior positions (11 ministers in the current Israeli government are Jews of Moroccan origin). However, they suffered extreme discrimination upon arrival in Israel because they came from Arab or Muslim countries.
Despite their immigration, Moroccan Jews preserved all the traditions of Moroccan culture, whether at weddings, celebrations, or holidays. They are attached to their identity and are very proud of it.
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