Jews murdered in Moroccan riots “deserve to be remembered” say descendants

More than 40 Jews murdered in Morocco in riots in 1948 “deserve to be remembered,” say their descendants, who are calling on the Israeli government to recognise those killed as Victims of Terror, with a view to establishing a monument and teaching “today’s generation” about the riots.

Riots began a few weeks after Israel declared independence in 1948. The riots took place in the neighbouring towns of Oujda and Jerada in north-east Morocco. The 41 dead included women and young children and the community rabbi. Jewish shops and businesses were looted, homes were destroyed and dozens of Jews were wounded.

Hundreds of their descendants have now signed a petition calling for the Defence Ministry to recognise the 1948 riots as a terrorist event, as this would allow for the establishment of a monument in the Jerusalem area, where a majority of them live.

Abraham Cohen, a descendant of a family that lost seventeen members in the violence, said that the move would “correct a historic injustice that cries out to heaven.”

The people who were murdered “deserve to be remembered,” he said. “We aren’t asking for special budgets or pensions. We only ask that someone care enough about their commemoration,” said Mr Cohen. He also suggested that the attacks should be included in the school curriculum “so that today’s generation will learn about the riots.”

He added that “for generations” they had “longed to hold a ceremony on the anniversary of the murders at a monument that is established in Jerusalem.”

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