Could descendants of Moroccan Jews reclaim citizenship? new petition ignites tensions
Morocco’s parliament is preparing to discuss a contentious decree that could grant citizenship to descendants of Moroccan Jews, most of whom emigrated to Israel in the mid-20th century.
On October 11, the Ministry in charge of parliament received a legislative petition urging the extension of Moroccan citizenship to all descendants of Moroccan Jews, aiming to ensure they enjoy "full constitutional, economic, and social rights."
The petition, submitted by unidentified petitioners, seeks to reintegrate the children and grandchildren of Moroccan Jews into Moroccan society. It also calls for a mechanism allowing Jewish families to reclaim properties lost during emigration and urges Morocco to collaborate with countries where these descendants now live to "protect them."
In 1948, Morocco was home to the largest Jewish community in North Africa, with approximately 260,000 Jews. However, many left over the following decades, with around 90% of their descendants now residing in Israel. The rest have settled in countries like France, Spain, the United States, Canada, and Latin American nations.
The proposed law has stirred controversy, with critics warning it could enable Israeli soldiers of Moroccan descent to acquire Moroccan citizenship, heightening security concerns. The proposal has garnered fewer than 300 signatures out of the 20,000 required for formal consideration by parliament.
Some pro-Palestinian groups have condemned the initiative as a "Zionist attempt" to influence Moroccan political institutions, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Jewish community in Morocco, which currently numbers around 2,000, largely remains neutral on political matters. However, community leaders have criticised both the violence in Gaza and the citizenship proposal, labelling it discriminatory.
"Killing civilians, women, and children has nothing to do with our religion," said Jackie Kadouch, head of the Jewish community in Marrakech, in reference to the conflict in Gaza.
The conflict has led to significant casualties, with over 40,000 deaths reported after a year of fighting, most of them civilians. This includes a substantial number of women and children, as well as approximately 1,000 health workers. Hospitals have also been heavily affected, with many destroyed during Israeli airstrikes.
Recent Israeli strikes in northern Gaza have continued to claim lives, including an attack in Beit Lahiya, a city near the Israeli border, where at least 87 people were killed in a single strike.
