Moroccan Jewish Community Leader Verbally Attacked at Anti-Israel Rally Amid Legal Complaint

Jacky Kadoush, head of the Jewish community in the Marrakech region of Morocco, was verbally attacked during a gathering of an anti-Israel organization earlier this month. At the event organized by the National Action Group for Palestine and the Moroccan Organization Against Normalization, Kadoush was called a "spy for Israel" and a "cancer in Morocco." The speakers also placed an Israeli flag on the floor and stepped on it. Kadoush, currently visiting Israel, told ynet he is not afraid of the attacks, attributing them to internal political struggles and emphasizing Morocco's peaceful coexistence and respect for all religions under King Mohammed VI's rule. He expressed concern that such demonstrations harm Morocco's international image.

Simultaneously, local lawyer Faisal Omerrazouk filed a criminal complaint against Aziz Al-Nahwi, the secretary-general of the organizing group, accusing him of incitement, defamation, and spreading hatred against Moroccan Jews. Omerrazouk stressed Morocco's commitment to equality among its citizens regardless of religion and warned that such rhetoric threatens social peace and coexistence. He demanded an investigation and prosecution for defamation, racism, and incitement.

Al-Nahwi defended the calls against Kadoush on social media, claiming they stemmed from Kadoush's past participation in an event with Moroccan youth visiting Israel, during which offensive remarks about the Prophet Muhammad were allegedly made. Kadoush denied any connection to those remarks, calling the accusations attempts to sow discord. He also stated he did not request legal action against his attackers, noting that organizations took initiative to protect Morocco's strong Jewish-Muslim relations. Kadoush affirmed the Jewish community continues to live peacefully in Morocco under the king's protection.