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Jewish Shops Reported Looted During Rioting in Fez, Morocco

December 18, 1990
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Rioting last Friday in Fez, Morocco, caused no casualties to the handful of Jews living in that city, although Jewish-owned shops were among those looted, according to David Amar, president of Morocco’s Jewish community.

Amar, who lives in Casablanca, came to Paris on Monday to brief Jewish leaders on the situation in his country, whose 10,000 to 15,000 Jews enjoy a good relationship with its ruler, King Hassan II.

The rioting, which according to French press reports left 40 to 60 people dead, has been attributed to Islamic fundamentalists. It was a protest against economic conditions.

No Jews were killed or hurt, Amar said, and as far as he could tell, there was no panic among them. Jews are seeking to emigrate in no greater numbers than before the disturbances, he said.

Amar spoke to French Jewish leaders, the heads of the Moroccan Jewish community in France and representatives from Israel.

He and about 60 other Moroccan Jewish representatives from France, Canada, Israel and Morocco met in private here 10 days ago. They affirmed their support of the king and condemned any attempt to destabilize his regime.

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