Developments in the Jewish communities of Morocco 1956–76

Datos Bibliográficos

ID9330723
AutoresMichael M Laskier (autor de correspondencia)
Año1990
Volumen26
Número4
Páginas465-505
Fecha de publicación1990-10-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaMiddle Eastern Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0026-3206 • E-ISSN: 1743-7881
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00263209008700832
OpenAlexW2037390272
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas8
Referencias citadas4

The end of the French and Spanish Protectorates (1912-56) inaugurated a period of uncertainty for the 240,000 Jews of Morocco. Until the summer of 1954, the economic and social unrest, which began in the early 1950s and led to general economic, political and social breakdown, had not affected the Jews as a whole. They had not been singled out, nor had there been any actions of a specifically anti-Jewish character on a countrywide level. Moreover, the terrorist organizations seemed anxious to avoid maltreating Jews, and Jews were victimized by terrorist acts only on rare occasions.1 In 1955, however, during the months of July and August, Moroccan terrorists incited large-scale riots in which the Jews, like the Europeans, were not spared. The terrorists were directing their ire against France after it had exiled Sultan Muhammad V to Madagascar because of his popularity and the support he enjoyed among nationalists, replacing him with a member of the Royal family, Mawlay ben-'Arafa, known for his docility and pro-French attitude. For all that, and highlighting the instability and fluidity of the times, when Muhammad V returned triumphantly on the eve of independence, the Istiqlal (Independence) Party and the Parti democratique d'independance (PDI), the two main political parties at the time, invited the Jews to demonstrate together with them. There was an exchange of receptions and speeches, and the Jews were addressed as Moroccan brothers and called upon to build the new Morocco together with the Muslims. In several cities, Jewish leaders were invited by either the Istiqlal or the PDI to officially join their ranks.2 Yet the Jews remained suspicious for the most part, and divided. Numerous Jews accused their leaders of being interested in only one thing: being members of the future independent government of Morocco. The Conseil des Communautes Israelites the umbrella organization for the diverse Jewish communities scattered throughout the country and its Secretary-General, Jacques Dahan, appealed to the Jews to demonstrate complete solidarity with the Muslims. But this appeal made no impression on many of the Jews, or caused negative reactions. People expressed strong reservations about the Sultan's declaration as to equal rights and duties for

Ancient history · Economic history · Independence (probability theory · Judaism · Political science · Politics · Popularity · Terrorism · Unrest · African history and culture studies · History · Law · Multiculturalism, Politics, Migration, Gender · North African History and Literature · Religious studies