Nationality for Moroccan Jews abroad: a project under fire from critics

At a time when the war between Israel and Hamas continues in the Gaza Strip, a petition for Moroccan citizenship for Jewish descendants submitted this week to the Moroccan Parliament via the national citizen participation portal “Eparticipation.ma” is making the subject of criticism from anti-normalization activists.

Presented by Houssain Ben Messaoud, the petition proposes granting Moroccan nationality to “all children and grandchildren of Moroccan Jews, subjects of the Commander of the Faithful”. Referring to the merits of his petition, he explains that Moroccan Jews living abroad suffered from the loss of the right to Moroccan citizenship by descent, unlike those residing in the kingdom for “compelling reasons beyond their control.” “, in particular the distance from Morocco and the difficulties linked to travel or the political, security, economic or social situations in their countries of residence. But this petition, which has only received 16 votes online so far, is viewed negatively by anti-normalization activists.