Morocco razing of Jewish building raises concern

The government’s demolition of a historic Jewish community-owned building in Morocco is drawing protest from Jewish leaders.

Over Passover, authorities in Tangier began razing a building that used to house a Jewish hospital, Benchimol Hospital, and which still belongs to the Jewish community. The demolition, which was undertaken with the consent of the Jewish community, prompted a letter of protest to the governor of Tangier from the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Spain, Jacobo Israel Garzon.

“This is for us a very serious act against the right to the property, which was the first hospital in Tangier,” Garzon wrote in his letter, dated April 12. “I urge His Excellency to ensure that the rights of the Tangier Jewish community be restored and respected.”

The president of Tangier’s Jewish community, Abraham Azencot, reportedly was out of town when the unexpected demolition began and is planning to meet with the local governor to discuss the action.