JERUSALEM (JTA) — Police are investigating whether the murder of a Jewish man in Morocco was nationalistic or criminally motivated.
The victim, identified as Benjamin, was struck in the head repeatedly by a hammer on Monday in the northern city of Fez, according to reports citing Moroccan media. The attacker fled the scene and has not been captured, according to reports.
Benjamin was a rent collector from Jewish-owned properties, according to Ynet. Police reportedly have ordered an autopsy
The murder comes a day after the forced evacuation of an Israeli diplomat from the country.
David Saranga, Israel’s senior liaison to the European Parliament, was evacuated under guard when tens of thousands of protesters participating in a mass pro-Palestinian rally organized by Islamists opposed to Morocco’s monarchy converged on the parliament building in Rabat. There was concern that Saranga could be targeted for attack.
