Moroccan Jews Call on King Mohammed VI to Banish PAM’s Request to Withdraw Their Citizenship

Rabat – Moroccan Jews have called on King Mohammed VI to intervene after Morocco’s Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) announced its intention to request a bill to withdraw citizenship from Moroccan Jews living in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Moroccan Jews have reportedly expressed their anger over PAM’s decision. The latter came to oppose US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to the disputed region.

PAM’s suggestion followed the visit of former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal to Morocco on December 26, 2017 at the request of Justice and Development Party (PJD). Meshaal has also met with other political leaders in Morocco, including PAM’s Secretary-General Ilyas El Omari. The idea of revoking citizenship from Moroccans living in Israeli settlements was suggested by El Omari.

According to Middle East Monitor (MEMO), PAM’s request was allegedly supported by other political parties’ members who are against the normalization with Israel, urging Morocco to cut ties with the occupying power.

In response, Moroccan Jews considered PAM’s suggested bill as “reckless,” calling on King Mohammed VI to block the party’s proposal, reported MEMO.

The draft bill was not submitted yet, however, Aziza Chagaf, a PAM member said that the decision was discussed during a meeting with Mechaal during his visit in Rabat.

Chagaf said that her party would give in their proposal to the parliament in order to adopt the bill. MEMO reported that Chagaf said that the party would discuss the idea before putting it up for a vote.

In response, Secretary-General of the Federation of Moroccan Jews in France Simon Skira denounced PAM’s proposal. Skira told Morocco World News that Moroccan Jews have the right to preserve their nationality wherever they live.

Skira, who left Morocco when he was 15 to live in France still has a Moroccan ID card:

He has called on King Mohammed VI to block PAM’s request; adding that Morocco should open a liaison office for Jewish people living here and that Israel should do the same in Tel Aviv.

The Moroccan Jew added that PAM has gifted this decision to Meshaal, who currently visited Morocco.

Speaking about the reason why Moroccan Jews are living in Israeli settlements in Palestine, Skira said that the Jews did not go there for political purposes, but because of the high living costs in Tel Aviv. “To buy a house in Tel Aviv, you must be a millionaire.”