Jewish club targeted in May attacks reopens

The Jewish club "le cercle de l'alliance Israelite," targeted by the terrorist attacks of May 2003, reopened on Monday, part of the celebration of the Throne day.

The club was revamped after it was partly damaged by the terrorist attacks that also targeted an old cemetery, a hotel and a Spanish restaurant, claiming the lives of 45 people, including 12 suicide bombers.

Minister of social development, Abderrahim Harouchi, who attended the reopening ceremony along with several other officials, said the reopening of the "cercle de l'alliance Israelite" raises vivid emotion at the recollection of the tragic events and reaffirms the solidarity that "deeply binds all the Moroccan people."

He also described the re-opening as "a symbol of hope," for, he said, the attacks did not target only a community, but were meant to oppose a democratic and modern society that is open to the world and to progress.

Serge Berdugo, secretary general of the council of the Jewish community of Morocco, reiterated on this occasion the attachment of his community to the Alawite throne and mobilisation for the King.

Berdugo also voiced the pride of members of the Jewish community in celebrating the throne day, adding that Morocco remains a land of tolerance and co-existence of all religions.