The position taken by the Moroccan authorities in banning Jewish emigration from Morocco was discussed here today by Israel Ambassador Yacov Tsur with the former Moroccan Resident General Gilbert Grandval.
No details of the discussions were available. However, it is understood that the French Government is watching the Moroccan developments in relation to Jewish emigration. Prior to Morocco becoming independent, Moroccan leaders made promises to France that they would respect the wishes of the Jews in Morocco. Similar promises were made at that time to leaders of major Jewish organizations.
The French press continued to carry reports of the desperate situation of the Jews who liquidated their homes and came from remote parts of Morocco to Casablanca only to find that they were not permitted to leave the country. Jewish organizations are, however, reluctant to issue reports that are reaching them from their representatives in Morocco, in the hope that some understanding might still be reached with the Moroccan authorities on some form of Jewish emigration.
(From Istanbul it was reported that the government-owned Turkish Maritime Lines has accepted an Israeli offer to charter the S.S. Istanbul with a capacity of 600 passengers, to move Moroccan Jewish emigrants to Israel.)
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