Mohammed V, Sultan of Morocco protected 250,000 Moroccan Jewish people from Nazi persecution
Summary
Mohammed V, the Sultan of Morocco vociferously resisted the French in thier attempt to enforce Nazi restrictions on the quarter million Jewish people living in Morocco.
During Vichy France rule (France under Nazi German) — which lasted a little more than two years — no Moroccan Jews were deported or killed.
When Allied troops liberated North Africa in November 1942, the Moroccan Jewish community was essentially intact. (Thanks to the efforts of Muslim Sultan Mohammed V)
Who was Mohammed V?
Mohammed V was the Sultan of Morocco.
He was the 3rd son of Sultan Moulay Youssef.
He was born on August 10, 1909, in Fez, Morocco.
He became King Mohammed V of independent Morocco.
When Mohammed was born, Morocco was a French protectorate.
After France fell to Nazi Germany, all French territories were pressured by the collaborationist French/German government with its seat at Vichy, to enforce the Nazis anti semitic laws n procedures on the Jewish people within those territories.
Mohammed V resisted these repressive Nazi policies and ensured these restrictions were never fully applied.
He was the reason, there were never round-ups of Jews in Morocco; nor any deportations as was case in Europe.
The brave and courageous tale of Mohammed V protecting his Moroccon Jewish subjects is best told by Richard Hurowitz in the following excerpted article published by LA Times. (Note: The sub-heading were added for easy reading.)
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Op-Ed:
You must remember this: Sultan Mohammed V protected the Jews of Casablanca
- by RICHARD HUROWITZ
Casablanca Movie Anniversary
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the release of “Casablanca,” which immortalized quiet acts of resistance against fascism at the murky crossroads that was wartime Morocco.
Real life Casablanca Significance
The location of the film was no accident: Casablanca was a haven for those fleeing for their lives.
Real Hero of Casablanca- Mohammed V
And it was also the scene of a much greater — and real life — act of heroism, one far too little known or recognized: the protection of the Jews of Morocco by the young Sultan Mohammed V.
His Heroism refutes claims of Islamophobia
At a time when anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are on the rise globally, we should honor this overlooked but remarkable example of enlightened leadership.
Morocco comes under French Vichy rule
When Paris fell to the Germans in July 1940, the sultan, then 30, was put in a precarious position as Morocco came under the rule of the collaborationist French Vichy regime.
French Vichy try to impose Nazi restrictions on Jews
Among their first acts, the new overseers sought to impose anti-Semitic laws in Morocco, as per Nazi protocol.
A quarter Million Jews live in Morocco
Jews - over a quarter of a million called Morocco their home in 1940.
Jews hold important Positions under Muslim Sultan Mohammed V
Members of the community had served the sultans’ court as ministers, diplomats and advisors.
In 1941, for the first time, Mohammed V made a point of inviting senior representatives of the Jewish community to the annual banquet celebrating the anniversary of his sultanate and placing them in the best seats next to the French officials.
Mohammed V is "Commander of the Faithful" and takes his role seriously.
Mohammed V took very seriously his role as the Commander of the Faithful, which he viewed to include all “people of the book,” meaning everyone belonging to the Abrahamic faiths — Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
He declines French Vichy instructions to persecute Jews
He bravely and publicly declined to assist in the persecution of his own Jewish citizens.
“There are no Jews in Morocco,” he declared. “There are only Moroccan subjects.”
“I absolutely do not approve of the new anti-Semitic laws and I refuse to associate myself with a measure I disagree with,” he told the French officials.
“I reiterate as I did in the past that the Jews are under my protection and I reject any distinction that should be made amongst my people.”
The result of Mohammed V standing up for Jewish people against French Vichy
No round-ups
Mohammed V ensured that there were never round-ups of Jews in Morocco; it remained a haven for Jews to the extent possible.
No deportations
During Vichy rule — which lasted a little more than two years — no Moroccan Jews were deported or killed.
Quarter million Moroccan Jewish people were saved
When Allied troops liberated North Africa in November 1942, the Moroccan Jewish community was essentially intact (thanks to the moral stand and courage shown by Mohammed V)
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-hurowitz-moroccan-king-mohammed-v-20170425-story.html
Other References
- https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/people-global-african-history/mohammed-v-1909-1961/
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_V_of_Morocco
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