Jews in Morocco Split on Voting for Country’s New Constitution

Sharp differences developed among leaders of the Jewish community of Morocco today about their attitude toward the constitutional referendum ordered by King Hassan II for a country-wide ballot this Friday.

The Council of Moroccan Jewish Communities has expressed satisfaction with the draft constitution, and called upon Jews to vote for it. A similar attitude has been taken by the Chief Rabbinate. On the other hand, a group of leading Jewish personalities today characterized the proposed constitution as “reactionary” and “anti-democratic,” calling for a Jewish boycott of the referendum.

David Amar, president of the Council of the Moroccan Jewish Communities, called upon the Minister of the Interior, by whom the Jewish leader was assured that the King was determined to uphold the traditions of tolerance and liberty in the new constitution. The Minister also emphasized the regime’s position to the effect that equal rights and obligations must be upheld for all citizens.

The Council holds that the proposed constitution “respects the dignity of man,” provides equality for all citizens, provides for freedom of worship and calls for freedom of movement in all parts of the country and for freedoms of opinion and association. On behalf of the Chief Rabbinate, Rabbi Saul Danan has called on all Jews to vote for the draft. He also sent a telegram to the King, reaffirming the “attachment of Moroccan Jewry to the throne.”

By contrast, other leaders today contested the right of the Council of Jewish Communities to engage in political problems, and denounced the draft, calling on Jews to boycott it. Among signers of this dissenting manifesto are Meyer Toledano, vice-president of the Casablanca Jewish Community, and Marc Sabbah, former editor-in-chief of the “Voice of the Communities.”