Land Ownership Claims in Morocco Highlights Complexities of Normalization with Zionist Entity
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BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In the wake of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Morocco and the Zionist entity, a contentious land ownership dispute has emerged in the city of Tangier, shedding light on the challenges and complexities associated with this development. The dispute centers around a 14-hectare plot of land in the Benkirane neighborhood, also known as “Houmt El Chouk,” where more than two thousand Moroccan families currently reside. The land has been claimed by the “Ashraf Immobile” real estate company, owned by a Jewish individual residing in Spain, whose father left Morocco over five decades ago.
The controversy began with a request from the descendants of the Jewish owner, who authorized their real estate company to file a lawsuit seeking the return of what they allege is their family’s property. This legal action has led to tensions and protests among the neighborhood’s residents who have lived on the land for approximately 50 years.
In response to the lawsuit, over 800 families in the neighborhood received summonses to appear in the city’s court of first instance on October 22. The lawsuit demanded their eviction on the grounds of illegal occupation. However, residents have vehemently opposed the eviction, asserting that they have official documents proving their ownership of the land and their homes, provided by public authorities. They contest the claims of the real estate company and its Jewish owner, who claim that they were unaware of the land’s occupation and insist that there were no rental agreements or leasing arrangements with the current residents.
The “Hay Benkirane” incident is just the beginning of what could become a prolonged series of disputes as a result of the normalization agreement. Tens of thousands of Moroccan Jews, who were relocated to the Zionist entity during the late King Hassan II’s reign in an effort to bolster the Zionist state, may now seek to reclaim their property in Morocco.
This issue is not a new one for the Zionist entity, as a 2019 report revealed that demands for substantial compensation, amounting to $250 billion, have been made by the entity addressing Iran and seven Arab countries, with Morocco leading the charge. The claims pertain to the displacement of Jews during the mid-20th century.
In addition, the Zionist Knesset enacted a law in 2010 requiring the inclusion of the “compensation of Jewish property” issue in all peace negotiations conducted with Arab countries, positioning Morocco at the forefront of the Zionist compensation project.
