During a virtual dialogue, held Thursday under the theme "Israel and Morocco Reconnect", the diplomat highlighted the Royal vision of preserving Morocco's Jewish and cultural heritage, the natural coexistence between Moroccan Muslims and Jews, as well as the Kingdom's distinctive vocation as a melting pot of religions, cultures, and peoples.

"This exceptional history of coexistence is the reason why Morocco is home to the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world. It shows how Moroccan Muslims and Jews enjoyed a natural peace, a harmonious coexistence that is historically rooted in Moroccan DNA and collective identity," he said at this event organized and moderated by Rabbi Arthur Schneier of New York's Park East Synagogue.

Hilale recalled that the Sovereign has repeatedly stressed the need to condemn antisemitism, to instill the values of tolerance and religious coexistence in Moroccan society and to learn the lessons of the Holocaust.

Referring to the various initiatives and measures initiated by HM the King for the preservation of Morocco's Jewish heritage and identity, the diplomat noted that the preamble of the Moroccan Constitution of 2011 acknowledges the role of Judaism in the history of the Kingdom and recognizes that the Jewish component is part of the tributaries of national identity.

He also highlighted the Royal initiative for the rehabilitation of Jewish cemeteries, neighborhoods, and synagogues in Morocco, as well as the restoration of the Moroccan Jewish heritage in its entirety.

The inauguration of "Bayt Dakira" and the reform of the educational curricula to include the teaching of Moroccan Jewish culture and history were also underlined.

These initiatives aim to preserve the history of Judaism in Morocco and keep its memory for future generations, the ambassador explained.

On the new impetus given to Moroccan-Israeli relations, Hilale gave a clear indication that this new dynamic should in no way be described as "normalization" but rather as reconnection.

"Today, the vast majority of Moroccan Jews live in Israel, where they constitute the second largest Jewish community, with a population of about one million," the ambassador noted.

Indeed, the descendants of the Moroccan Jewish community now constitute one of the pillars of Israeli culture in areas such as television, theater, literature, song, poetry and cinema, while a third of the members of the Israeli government are of Moroccan origin.

"We are proud to have such a Moroccan Jewish community that has remained loyal and attached to Morocco and its Kings over the years," Hilale said, recalling the wise words of the late HM Hassan II who said that "when a (Moroccan) Jew emigrates, Morocco loses a citizen, but gains an ambassador.

According to the ambassador, the reopening of diplomatic liaison offices is an opportunity to consolidate a diplomatic relationship that has existed for many years, and marks a global vision to build a dynamic and innovative bilateral economic cooperation in the fields of trade, finance, IT, civil aviation, tourism, water and agriculture, food security, energy, sports and many other areas.

"There is real enthusiasm in Morocco and Israel for this reconnection," the diplomat added.

On Morocco-US relations, Ambassador Hilale said Morocco and the United States are historical allies and long-time friends. He recalled in that regard the formalization of bilateral relations with the signing in 1786 of the Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendship, which is still in force, constituting the oldest treaty ever signed.

For his part, Rabbi Arthur Schneier paid tribute to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the Sovereign's "highly commendable" actions to preserve the Jewish memory and identity in Morocco, particularly through initiatives to restore the Jewish cemeteries and synagogues of the Kingdom.

Rabbi Schneier, himself a Holocaust survivor and a fervent advocate of the memory of this human tragedy and of efforts to prevent genocide around the world, also praised the efforts and actions of HM the King in raising awareness about the Holocaust and promoting peace and peaceful coexistence among religions.

Rabbi Schneier also recalled the historic and decisive action of the late HM Mohammed V in protecting his Jewish citizens during the darkest phase of Jewish history, the Holocaust.