U.S. Antisemitism Monitor praises Morocco’s coexistence tradition & tolerance

U.S. State Department special envoy to Monitor Antisemitism Deborah Lipstadt has hailed Morocco’s religious tolerance and deeply rooted cultural and historical co-existence.

She made the remarks during a visit to the Moroccan city of Essaouira wherein she met Royal advisor André Azoulay, civil society representatives, students and religious figures at Bayt Dakira (House of Memory), a museum and synagogue in a historic 19th century home that preserves the country’s Jewish heritage.

Morocco’s “grassroots initiatives seeking to bolster interfaith understanding and acceptance here are impressive and an example for us all,” said the U.S diplomat.

She also visited the Abidari Ghafari School in Essaouira, where the children regaled her with recitals and songs in both Arabic and Hebrew. “I’m very pleased to experience first-hand how Morocco has highlighted it’s Jewish heritage and historical coexistence in its national curricula, said Mrs. Deborah Lipstadt.

The US official also commended Morocco’s “exemplary commitment to a diverse and tolerant society.”

Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, who is a world-renowned antisemitism scholar, develops and implements policies and projects to support efforts to combat antisemitism worldwide.