As Morocco’s 3,000 Jews gathered in their homes to kindle their menorahs on the first night of Chanukah, they heard words they would have scarcely hoped to imagine, when U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco had agreed to what he called “another historic breakthrough” for peace in the Middle East.
Morocco has now become the fourth Arab nation to seek a normalization of ties with Israel in recent months following the Abraham Accords with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan.
“This will be a very warm peace,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was joined by U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman at a Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony at Kotel (Western Wall). “On this Chanukah, the light of peace has never shone brighter than today in the Middle East.”
The prime minister noted that the relationship of the peoples of both countries “has long been characterized by sympathy, respect, fondness and love,” and praised King Mohammed VI’s “historic decision” to make peace.
Jews have been living in Morocco for thousands of years, and until the declaration of the State of Israel, they numbered as many as 350,000 strong. Called malchut shel chessed, “a kingdom of kindness,” by the Rebbe, Chabad has had an active presence in the North African kingdom since 1950. Yet during the 70 years since Chabad first opened up a string of schools and social services across the kingdom, they saw the Jewish population dwindle to a shadow of its former self.
Today, the majority of the country’s Jews, estimated to about 3,000, are concentrated in Casablanca—a bustling metropolis of 3.4 million. The vast majority of them have close friends and relatives living in Israel, which makes the surprise announcement all the more exciting for them.
The prospect of open diplomatic relations, direct flights and mutual cooperation between the place they and their ancestors have been living for generations and the land that lies deep in their heart was something many could only dream about.
“Jews have been living here for 2,000 years, and visitors are often surprised to learn that the Jewish community is safe, cared for and relatively secure,” says Chabad Shlucha Chana Banon who lives in Casablanca together with her husband Rabbi Levi Banon and their 5 children.
“In large part, this is due to the royal family, which is very respectful to the Jewish people, and considers them close friends and an important component of Moroccan society, she told Chabad.org. “We live very well with our Muslim neighbors.”
VIDEO:
Jacky Kadoch, President of the Jewish Community in Marrackech, comments on the deal
