Sharaka-Led Moroccan Delegation Visits Israel, Challenges Prejudice

A delegation of 23 Moroccan young leaders, influencers, professionals, academics, and civil society activists visited Israel as part of Sharaka’s flagship program to promote tolerance through Holocaust education in the Arab and Muslim world. This visit came at a time when anti-Israel sentiment in the Arab and Muslim world is heightened due to recent conflicts.

The delegation, described by Sharaka Chairman and co-founder Amit Deri as "a cohort of brave young Moroccans," visited historic and holy sites in Jerusalem, connected with the Israeli hi-tech scene, and met with Israeli officials, including Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and former National Security Council head Meir Ben Shabat. The tour also included a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust museum, where they engaged in lectures and discussions on the Holocaust, extremism, and promoting tolerance.

Sharaka, meaning “partnership” in Arabic, is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established by social entrepreneurs from the Arab world and Israel to foster warm peace through dialogue and collaboration. The organization, with offices in Israel, Bahrain, and Morocco, works to promote the Abraham Accords and strengthen regional ties.

During their visit, the Moroccan delegation stayed at a hotel that also hosted displaced Israelis from Shlomi, a community with strong Moroccan roots. This led to a spontaneous celebration featuring Moroccan music and dance, which quickly went viral on social media and even reached Moroccan news outlets, garnering both praise and criticism.

Youssef Elazhari, 31, from Marrakech, director of Sharaka Morocco, shared his thoughts on the visit: “I thought I knew Israel from past experiences, but I never expected such warmth from the people we met. I’m glad I challenged my views and got to see the reality firsthand.”

Youssef Lahbiel, 21, a student of International Cooperation and Development at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, expressed similar sentiments: “Israel was not what I expected. It’s beautiful, with many warm and welcoming people who are intellectual and want peace. It was a blessing from God to visit this country.”

Ibrahim Ben Madane, 31, a journalist and PhD candidate in media studies, found the experience enlightening: “It was a beautiful experience to get to know Israel and learn about the current situation. I met beautiful people here and it was a pleasure to get to know them, especially those of Moroccan origin.”

Omar, a student at Al Akhawayn University, noted the stark difference between the reality he witnessed and the biased news he was exposed to: “We have so many biased news outlets, and we came here and found out the true nature of Israel. It’s amazing to see the warmth from people here.”

Salah Ghrissi, 34, a professional photographer from Fez, described the visit as magical: “I’m surprised by the amount of love we’re getting, it’s truly magical. The most significant experience for me was definitely Yad Vashem. I never had such a powerful and sad experience, and I’m sure this will change my life forever.”

Dan Feferman, founder and CEO of Sharaka, emphasized the importance of such delegations in fostering understanding and combating radicalization. Despite facing backlash and criticism, the participants showed resilience and a willingness to learn and engage with Israeli society.

The visit highlighted the potential for people-to-people connections to break down barriers and build bridges of understanding and peace. Sharaka’s efforts, supported by the Moroccan King Mohammad VI and the Moroccan government, continue to pave the way for a brighter future of coexistence and collaboration between the Arab and Israeli peoples.

Join us in supporting this noble cause by sharing this story and subscribing to our newsletter to stay updated on Israel’s ongoing efforts to promote peace and tolerance.