Israel: Moroccan Jews ‘Who Suffered Anti-Semitism’ to Get Holocaust Payments

Rabat – Israel is moving forward to grant Holocaust survivor’s payment to Israeli Jews of Moroccan origin and other Arab countries, who suffered from anti-Semitism during World War II.

Tel Aviv is to recognize Jewish refugees of Morocco, Algeria and Iraq who immigrated to Israel over anti-Semitism during World War II, like Holocaust and Nazi regime survivors, Israeli media reported.

A report by Times of Israel said the new policy comes in response to several lawsuits filed by Iraqi and Moroccan Jews, arguing that they should be entitled to certain benefits the government provides European Holocaust survivors.

Under the new policy, Jews from Morocco Algeria and Iraq, who immigrated to Israel at around the same time as Holocaust survivors and victims of Nazi persecution, will receive approximately $950 per year and free medication.

“The benefits to be granted henceforth to immigrants from North African countries and Iraq will allow them to live their lives with the proper respect,” Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said.

Jews from Libya and Tunisia, which both were under Nazi control until 1943, were already eligible for Holocaust survivor compensation, with payments starting at $7,000 annually.

Contrary to what the Israeli government seeks to suggest, Moroccans Jews did not suffer from persecution during World War II and the holocaust.

While French was under German occupation and French Jews were forced to wear the David star, Moroccan Jews were spared from suffering this discrimination and from being exposed to Hitler’s death squads.

While Morocco was under French occupation, late King Mohammed V rejected all demands made by the Pro-Nazi French government to implement anti-Jews law and to send them to France. Instead, King Mohamed V invited them to the Throne celebrations.

Late King Mohammed V’s courageous and noble resistance to the Pro-Nazi French government pushed Serge Berdugo, Head of the Jewish Community in Morocco, to call on the Israeli government in 2007 to name him Righteous Among the Nations.