King Hassan II of Morocco said here today there was no contradiction in Morocco’s attitude as a member of the Arab League toward Israel and its policy of equal rights for Moroccan Jews. He was addressing a luncheon here given by the Overseas Press Club.
He said that Moroccan Jews are entitled to the same rights and obligations as all other Moroccans. He added, however, that, if they were of a nationality other than Moroccan, they could not be given the same rights and privileges they now enjoy.
The King added that Morocco was a member of the Afro-Asian bloc in the United Nations and that its position was clear also as a member of the Arab League, in which Morocco was at one with its Arab brothers. He emphasized, however, that there was no contradiction between Morocco’s attitude toward Israel and its policy toward the Jewish community.
Asked about the recent death sentences passed on a number of members of the Bahai faith, the King said he would grant them a pardon, if asked. He pointed out that the death sentences were imposed by the Moroccan courts, not by the Moroccan Government. He said this indicated the separation of powers between the executive and judicial branches of the Moroccan Government. He stressed, however, that he agreed with the verdict, which, he said, was based on the requirement that the government must defend itself against attacks from within on the public order.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
