Moroccan Jewish Leader Reports on Status of Jews to U.S. Groups

David Amar, Secretary General of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Morocco, hailed today the new Moroccan constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion to all citizens as “a major advance in the Moslem world.” At the same time, Mr. Amar urged the Moroccan Government to implement the constitutional guarantees, which would “grant legal status to the Jewish community” in that country.

Mr. Amar spoke at the American Jewish Committee’s Institute of Human Relations. The meeting was attended by representatives of Jewish organizations who expressed their full support of the aspirations of the Moroccan Jewish community to gain legal status and equal rights in a democratic Morocco.

Mr. Amar, who is head of the organised Jewish community in Morocco, stressed that the new constitution is “anchored on fundamental liberties and respect for the dignity of man.” He said that the constitution had been conceived and offered to the Moslem people by King Hassan II. He hailed the King for “seeking a regime which guarantees equal rights for all its citizens.” The constitution was overwhelmingly adopted last year by popular referendum.

Mr. Amar said that proposals currently being considered by the Moroccan Government would give Moroccan Jewry “jurisdiction in matters of personal status, such as marriage and divorce, education and welfare.” He added: “Early enactment of these measures would not only carry out the provisions of the constitution, but, in addition, create favorable conditions for equal participation by Moroccan Jews in the political, economic and social development of Morocco.”

In addition to representatives of the American Jewish Committee, the meeting was attended by leaders of the American Friends of the Alliance Israelite Universelle, the American ORT Federation and other Jewish welfare organizations with operating programs in Morocco.