Some 30 Moroccan Jews, most of them young, have been released from Moroccan prisons where they had been held for nearly three months, it was reported here today.
Their release was ordered, after several intercessions, by Interior Minister Embarck Bekkai. Those released constituted a majority of the Jews arrested during the anti-Jewish events which followed the visit to Morocco of President Nasser of the United Arab Republic.
The Jews still held in prison are those arrested on charges of being involved in a “Zionist” network. They are scheduled to appear in court on charges of offenses against the internal and external security of the state.
Chief Rabbi Saul Danan of Morocco issued an appeal today to Moroccan Jewry to observe Passover this year simply and without pomp or rejoicing as an expression of mourning over the recent death of the late King Mohammed V.
The Chief Rabbi said the solemnity of Passover should be marked by meditations, rather than by rejoicing. He particularly cited certain rowdy customs observed on the evening of “mimouna,” a traditional Moroccan celebration which falls this year in the Passover period. The Chief Rabbi warned Moroccan Jews that he formally forbids such practices.
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