by Ailin Vilches Arguello<\/p>\n
Jews are seeing cautious but notable signs of renewed inclusion in North Africa, as Morocco advances a landmark citizenship proposal for descendants abroad while pilgrims begin returning to Tunisia\u2019s historic religious sites under tight security.<\/p>\n
Last week, a Moroccan citizen submitted a legislative petition to the country\u2019s House of Representatives to grant citizenship to the children and grandchildren of Moroccan Jews living abroad, marking a renewed push after a similar 2024 effort failed to secure enough support.<\/p>\n
Supporters of the initiative argue that many Moroccan Jews emigrated for economic, religious, or other reasons, gradually losing their citizenship over generations even as they preserved strong cultural ties, underscoring that Jewish identity remains deeply embedded in Morocco\u2019s history and monarchy.<\/p>\n
Opponents of the proposal argue that Jews are already Moroccan citizens with equal rights regardless of religion, adding that existing legal frameworks sufficiently guarantee access to nationality without the need for new legislation.<\/p>\n
Among the most vocal opponents, Jacky Kadoch, president of the Jewish Community of Marrakech \u2014 a major city in western Morocco \u2014 told Sky News<\/i> Arabia<\/em> that descendants of Moroccan Jewish emigrants face no real obstacles in obtaining citizenship or passports, and dismissed supporters of the initiative as \u201csimply trying to stir chaos.\u201d<\/p>\n Under current law, individuals of Moroccan Jewish origin can claim citizenship through lineage up to the fourth generation, reinforced by a 2011 constitutional amendment recognizing Judaism as a core component of the country\u2019s heritage.<\/p>\n The newly introduced proposal focuses on simplifying the application process by establishing dedicated services and launching a national online portal to manage applications, while promoting the integration of descendants into Morocco\u2019s economic, political, cultural, and social life.<\/p>\n