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Encyclopaedia Judaica

Jews in Morocco 08: French Protectorate 1912-1939

Jewish development under French and Spanish rule - committees and new middle class - "modern" Jewish elite - racist anti-Muslim Herzl Zionism and anti-Zionism

from: Morocco; In: Encyclopaedia Judaica 1971, vol. 12

presented by Michael Palomino (2008)

<The French Protectorate.

EARLY PERIOD.

[1912: pogrom in Fez - Jewish freedom under French and Spanish rule - 1918 and 1931: Jewish communities law]

The establishment of the French Protectorate in 1912 was marked in Fez by a pogrom which claimed over 100 victims (April 18-19, 1912). However, there were no incidents in the zone assigned to Spain or in Tangier, which was declared an international town. Under the French and Spanish dominations the Jews enjoyed complete freedom in all matters pertaining to their traditions, religion, occupations, and movement. France and Spain did not interfere with the status of the Jews of Morocco, who remained subject to the sultan's protection - this proved to be advantageous for them when the anti-Jewish laws were issued by the *Vichy government.

In a dahir [[royal decree]] of May 22, 1918, the French authorities contented themselves with granting official status to the existing organization of the Jewish communities, with a few modifications. These changes were more particularly emphasized by the dahir of 1931.

[Community life - French influence - Jewish community committees - no help by the Jewish upper class]

During the 19th century a council of notables appointed by the population was responsible for the administration of the community. A gizbar ("treasurer"), who was elected by the leading personalities of the town, was co-opted to the council. The council and the gizbar were responsible for the nomination of the rabbis-judges (dayyanim).

After 1912 the nation which assured the protectorate, i.e., France, claimed for itself, directly or indirectly, most of the prerogatives emanating from this organization and more particularly the tutelage of the community committees, which then became mere benevolent institutions. These committees, the number of whose members varied with the numerical importance of the community, as well as their presidents, were appointed by the grand vizier, who in practice was dependent on the protectorate authorities. Moreover, the committees were supervised by a Jewish official of the government, who was chosen because of his devotion to French interests.

By the maintenance of such a strict control over the Jewish elements of the country the protectorate authorities revealed their distrust. Few Jews, however, were politically hostile toward France. It was the task of the community committees to bring relief to the numerous Jews living in miserable conditions. Their budget continued to be raised from the income derived from the scale of kasher wine and meat, the revenues from charitable trusts (hekdesh) which they administered, and the often generous contributions of the upper classes and Jews from overseas. The authorities did not grant them any subsidies.

[The structure of the new committees with the new middle class - Jewish children in French schools - private religious schooling - westernization - Anti-Semitism of Frenchmen middle-class of North Africa - "modern" Jewish elite - Jewish immigration]

With the exception of Tangier, where there were special circumstances, and a few other rare cases, the old Jewish upper class kept its distance from these community committees. They were constituted of new elements which came from a middle class that until then had been practically nonexistent in Morocco. The members of these committees were generally all loyal to the French authorities.

The children of the long-time upper class were usually sent to the French primary or secondary schools. Their religious instruction was entrusted to private teachers.

Living with a traditional environment which had withstood many a trial, they were sheltered from religious estrangement and unreserved assimilation. The westernization of the new class, which was accomplished by the Alliance Israélite Universelle, was too rapid and often superficial. Many of them discarded all adherence to tradition.

Their potential complete integration among the colonizers, however, was thwarted by the anti-Semitism of the middle-class Frenchmen of North Africa. A large number of Jews of this new social class amassed considerable wealth as a result of the accelerated development of the country. This new middle class formed an important section of the larger, as well as the smaller, communities. Moroccan Jewry was consequently transformed. Some Jews took up (col. 341)

higher studies in Morocco itself or in French universities.

From 1912 Morocco attracted a large number of Jews from Algeria and Tunisia. Others arrived from Middle Eastern countries and Europe.

[1939: 225,000 Jews estimated - racist anti-Muslim Herzl Zionism and non-Zionists - racist anti-Muslim Herzl Zionist propaganda newspaper - anti-Zionist newspaper]

In 1939 the Jewish population of Morocco, including the foreign Jews, was estimated at 225,000. Until then, political Zionism had won only a few adherents in Morocco. [[Racist anti-Muslim Herzl]] Zionism, however, was often discussed in youth movements and organizations and regular lectures on the subject were given in the Jewish circles. The philanthropist Raphael Benozérof was most active in the [[racist anti-Muslim Herzl]] Zionist movement in Morocco, spreading its ideas among both the masses and the elite of the Jewish community. A periodical, L'Avenir Illustré [[Illustrated Future]], which was published in Casablanca from 1926, regarded itself as the organ of Moroccan Jewry, as well as the standard-bearer of [[racist anti-Muslim Herzl]] Zionism. It aroused the opposition of those who stood for the evolution of Moroccan Jewry and its assimilation into French culture. From 1932 this faction published the L'Union Marocaine [[The Moroccan Union]]. In 1939 World War II interrupted the publication of these two Jewish organs.

[D.CO.]> (col. 342)

Sources
Encyclopaedia Judaica 1971: Morocco, vol. 12, col. 337-338	Encyclopaedia Judaica 1971: Morocco, vol. 12, col. 339-340	Encyclopaedia Judaica 1971: Morocco, vol. 12, col. 341-342	Encyclopaedia Judaica 1971: Morocco, vol. 12, col. 343-344

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