Jewish Stores Burned in Moroccan Towns; Many Jews Feared Killed

The fear that there may be a number of Jews among the non-Moslems killed and wounded yesterday in the bloody disturbances in the Moroccan towns of Oued Zem and Khenifra was expressed in Jewish circles here today. The exact situation cannot be established as yet, but it is known that a Jewish store in Khenifra was burned down to the ground by the Moslem nationalists during the riots which raged there. The Jewish population of Khenifra, a town in the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco, joined with the European inhabitants yesterday in seeking refuge in the suburbs.

In Oued Zem, which is situated 80 miles from Casablanca, many stores were set afire by Moroccan tribesmen who swarmed into town from the neighboring villages. The situation there was still considered critical today. It is assumed that among the shops burned down by the Arab rioters were many belonging to Jews, since some of the agitators against the French administration have been charging the Jews with siding with the French.

In Casablanca, a number of Arab leaders have called on the Jews of the Old Medina section of the city to join in the demonstrations they had scheduled in protest against the deposition of their old Sultan by the French authorities. The Arab leaders told the Jews that as Moroccan subjects equally with their Moslem brethren, it was their duty to join in the fight for the return of the deposed Sultan.

Meanwhile, it was reported that as far as could be ascertained, there had been no Jewish casualties during the Arab riots which began in Casablanca Thursday. Most Jews who had left their homes during the riots of July 17 to take refuge in the Talmud Torah have since returned to their homes. Others have taken up residence in the European quarter of that city. It is now held that the attacks on Jews which took place last month were in the nature of reprisals for the participation of some Jewish youths in attacks by Europeans on the Arab quarter. Casablanca’s Jewish Community Council has since issued a statement that the Jewish community took no part whatever in the demonstrations against Moslems and condemned all acts of violence.