President Donald Trump's announcement that Israel and Morocco have agreed to normalize relations may have astounded the world, but the news comes as no surprise to the Jewish community in the north-African country.
"There was a lot of talk about this subject last year," says Kobi Yifrach, an Israeli who has lived in Morocco for the past five years and runs a local museum in Marrakesh.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
"There used to be an Israeli Embassy here between 1995 and 2000, and even after that, the relationship between Israel and Morocco remained friendly. Time has finally come to build the relationship [between the two countries]. Until now, it was behind the scenes, and now it's time to bring it to the forefront, with pride and love.
"My Muslims friends have been calling me for hours to congratulate the Jewish community on the announcement," says Jacky Kadosh, leader of the Moroccan Jewish community. "We heard the news immediately after lighting the first Hanukkah candle. It's a Hanukkah miracle."
Ilan Hatuel, an Israeli businessman in Morocco who is close to André Azoulay, senior adviser to King Mohammed VI of Morocco, added that the news was accepted in Morocco with "great excitement."
"The royalty has preserved Jewish history in Morocco for over 500 years. We have worked very hard to reach this moment. From now on, there will be direct flights from Marrakesh to Casablanca and Rabat. The Jewish community is in the seventh heaven, and the Moroccans are very excited too," Hatuel said.
Orin Avraham, a local yeshiva student, also spoke of the joyful celebrations that followed the announcement. "The decision will lead to the strengthening of the Jewish community in Morocco." He added that there is no anti-Semitism in the country, saying that "everyone [in Morocco] says 'hello' to the Jews and loves them.
Jackie Azran of Casablanca told Israel Hayom that "King Hassan II, father of current King Mohammed VI, called on Jews [who were born in Morocco in the 1990s and emigrated to Israel] to return to conduct business in the country. There is an affection for Jews and Israelis here, and now that affection is reflected in the historic agreement.
"The Jews who live here have a sense of security, and so will the Jews and Israelis who will come here in the future. I feel safer here than anywhere else in the world. Thanks to King Mohammed VI there is no religious hatred in Morocco. I am sure there will be more Moroccans visiting Israel than Israelis visiting Morocco. They love Israel very much, are curious about our country and wish to visit it very much."
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
