Janice R. Andrews
Jewish communities of Moroccan descent in Israel have strongly opposed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged Gaza war crimes. They criticized the decision as biased and an attack on Israel’s right to self-defense.
Sam Ben Shtrit, president of the World Federation of Moroccan Jews, dismissed the ICC’s ruling as unenforceable and highlighted Netanyahu’s widespread domestic and international support. He also praised Israel’s judicial system for its impartial investigations into legal violations.
David Kanan, a prominent Moroccan-Israeli leader, condemned the ICC’s decision as “unfair,” accusing the court of ignoring global atrocities while targeting Israel. He likened the October 7 Hamas attacks to the Nazi atrocities against Jews during World War II, emphasizing Israel’s obligation to protect its citizens.
The World Federation of Jews of Marrakech joined in condemning the ICC, accusing it of selective justice and anti-Semitism. They criticized the court for focusing solely on Israel’s actions while overlooking other international conflicts.
While the ICC’s decision has gained support from some nations, Ben Shtrit reaffirmed that Israel remains open to peace but will not tolerate violence in exchange for Palestinian statehood.
The unified stance of Moroccan Jewish communities reflects their strong support for Israel’s leadership amid global criticism.
