Return to Morocco (2015)

The first Jews arrived in Morocco 2000 years ago and contributed to Morocco's mosaic society. Jews and Muslims, either from Arab or Berber origin, are generally proud of Morocco's diversity. But around 50 years ago, an irreparable break tore apart Morocco's social fabric. In addition to the sufferings provoked by French colonialism and years of authoritarianism under the former King Hassan II, the foundation of the state of Israel and its need for Jewish immigration had huge consequences on Morocco's Jewish community. The Israeli intelligence infiltrated Morocco to scare Jews into leaving their homeland, arguing that Muslims were a threat for them. Today, Morocco's once thriving Jewish community has only around 2000 members left. Through the lives and testimonies of Fanny, Pinhas, David and Vanessa, we revisit this troubled and often taboo period of history. The characters tell us about why they decided to come back to Morocco, a country that could be an example of religious cohabitation for today's disintegrating Middle East. Fanny once left Casablanca illegally to Israel, and ended up being a human rights activist in France. Pinhas left his Berber village as a child and never really recovered from the separation: wasn't Morocco his true homeland after all? David never left and made a fortune by buying real estate from departing Jews. Vanessa's family left Morocco 200 years ago. Today, she moved from the United States to Casablanca to research and sing traditional Moroccan Jewish music. But life is not always easy for them in Morocco. Indeed, the Arab-Israeli conflict makes it harder for Moroccan Jews to define their place in the Kingdom. However, Muslims and Jews alike are committed to preserve Morocco's Jewish memory, an indelible element of Morocco's society.