King Mohammed VI Urged to Help Free Israeli Hostages in Gaza Conflict

In a correspondence whose facsimile dated November 3 was made public on X (ex-Twitter) by David Govrin, head of the Israeli liaison office in Rabat, the "Israeli Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons", an organization set up to provide logistical support to the families of Israeli hostages, is requesting an intervention by King Mohammed VI for the release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, reports Le Desk. Currently, "242 hostages are being held in worrying conditions, causing major concern," the letter states. "The gathering of our families will not only alleviate our suffering, but will also contribute to strengthening peace and reconciliation in the region," the families of Israeli hostages, including several Moroccan nationals, who support "a complete and balanced exchange of all hostages and prisoners on both sides," estimate. They hope that "the wisdom and leadership of the King will be a driving force for positive change." According to them, the support of the sovereign will be "a glimmer of hope and comfort for all."

The Association of Moroccans in Israel, based in Tel Aviv and chaired by Shimon Ohayon, a former Knesset member for the right-wing nationalist secular party Israel Beiteinu and a professor at Bar-Ilan University, a native of Marrakech, also addressed a letter to King Mohammed VI. Ohayon is seeking the "empathy" and "support" of the sovereign in the face of the Hamas attack, which he describes as having "the sole purpose of killing and eliminating the Jews." "We are faced with a terrorist organization that the whole world must fight. Is the way of Hamas the way of Islam? Can the Kingdom of Morocco take the side of these bloodthirsty murderers?" the ultranationalist, who is also president of the Aharon Center for the Promotion of Sephardic Culture and Tradition, wonders in this widely circulated correspondence on social networks. Ohayon also expressed regret at seeing demonstrations of support "justifying the acts of Hamas" instead of "disavowing, distancing, and condemning it." Since the outbreak of the war between Hamas and Israel, Moroccans have been demonstrating in support of Palestine throughout Morocco. According to him, the war against Hamas "also concerns Morocco, the countries of the free world, as well as all moderate and enlightened countries," because "Hamas will not stop with us."

King Mohammed VI has not remained indifferent to the surprise and spectacular attack by Hamas or to the Israeli retaliation. In a speech read by Aziz Akhannouch, head of government, on the occasion of the extraordinary Arab-Islamic summit held on November 11 in Riyadh, the sovereign expressed his "deep concern" about the situation in the Gaza Strip, marked by "armed clashes and thousands of civilian casualties." "Although voices of wisdom have risen to call for de-escalation and appeasement, Israeli artillery and missiles continue to target unarmed civilians, including children, women and the elderly. Places of worship, hospitals and camps, whether totally or partially destroyed, were not spared," he deplored. Stressing the "flagrant violation of international laws and human values," the King called for an "urgent and concrete de-escalation," ending the "