A delegation of 23 Moroccan young leaders, influencers, professionals, academics and civil society activists to Israel as a part Sharaka’s flagship program to promote tolerance through in the Arab and Muslim world. The delegation visited Israel this past week, “a cohort of brave young Moroccans who have chosen to come to Israel as courageous statement in support of Israel-Morocco relations and Jewish-Muslim coexistence in a time when anti-Israel sentiment in the Arab and Muslim world is tense and volatile following the October 7 attack and ongoing war in Gaza,” as the non-governmental organization phrased it. During their week long journey throughout Israel, the delegation visited the historic and holy sites of Jerusalem, met with experts and community leaders, connected to the Israeli hi-tech scene, and heard from Israeli officials, including Knesset Speaker of Moroccan roots Amir Ohana, and former National Security Council Meir Ben Shabat who gave an entire lecture in the Moroccan dialect.
The group also toured sites of the terror attacks to gain learn of the current war and geopolitical picture. Their visit focused on an extensive seminar at Yad Vashem, Israel’s national Holocaust Museum and education institute, where they engaged in a series of in-person and online lectures and conversations, about the Holocaust, extremism, genocides in modern history, and what we can do in our societies to promote tolerance. The program was conducted with the assistance of the Co.