Migration of Moroccan Jews to Israel

The migration of Moroccan Jews to Israel occurred after the Holocaust of European Jewry. The spotlight was turned to the North African; and particularly; Moroccan Jewish communities, constituting the largest of the Jewish communities in North Africa at the time. Their conditions were further exacerbated by the increasing terrorism in the country and the hostile attitude of the local (Muslim) population towards the Jews. This situation became even more acute upon the declaration of the establishment of the state of Israel, by the UN in 1947. Moroccan Jews were targeted in acts of violence and murder, by radical nationalists/ Islamists who wished to avenge the misfortunes of their Muslim brethren in Israel. These events increased the migration rate of Moroccan Jews to Israel, with approximately 28,000 Jews immigrating to Israel between 1948 and 1951 [1].

Upon the return of Mohammed V and the consequent declaration of Morocco as an independent state in 1956, the Jews received full rights. However, following pressures exerted by the Arab league in 1959, Jewish emigration became prohibited if the destination for their immigration was Israel, and therefore the immigration for the most-part took place illegally by means of the underground Jewish organization in Morocco, via Spain and France.

By 1967 250,000 Jews had left Morocco, some fleeing to Europe and the USA whereas a large part of them immigrated to Israel. The Moroccan immigrants encountered many cross culture and integration difficulties that later became the characterizing features of this immigration. These cultural barriers and discrimination led to protestation and consequently a gradual change in Israel's political map.

The rising French influence in Morocco at the beginning of the 20th century encouraged Moroccan Jews to enroll into French schools, receive a French education and integrate into French culture until 1940 when the Vichy laws came into effect and forbade Jewish attendance to French schools. After the Second World War and the establishment of the state of Israel, The Jewish Zionist organizations encouraged many Jewish families to leave Morocco and migrated to Israel legally, with the approval of the French rule at the time. Following the war, many young Moroccan Jews migrated to Israel in a bold move and joined “Gahal” forces that were fighting the War of Independence.

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