Channels

A. Youth movement cell in Casablanca, directed by Avramale
B. Cover of Habonim youth movement's bulletin 'Lamrot Hakol' (despite everything) in Casablanca
C. Bridge over river crossing Moroccan city of Rabat
D. Church in Tunisia
E. Casablanca Port
F. Avramale meets Prime Minister Golda Meir at embassy in France, 1973
G. At the same embassy meeting: Golda Meir, Education Minister Aharon Yadlin and Israeli Ambassador

On Israeli mission to northwest Africa

In 1954, Avraham (Avramale) Israeli was sent to North African countries to establish a small group of Zionist Jewish communities. His photos document movement's activists, families in Tunisia and Morocco before they immigrated to Israel

In 1944, Avraham (Avramale) Israeli arrived with his friends from the Gordonia youth movement's Haifa cell at Kibbutz Hamadia, which had just been established. The area surrounding the kibbutz and the nearby city of Beit She'an were inhabited by Arab residents, who were hostile to the Jewish settlement in the area.

 

Avramale engaged in security-related problems, in bringing water to the community and in the purchase of agricultural lands – activities which led to him being crowned the head of the community.

 

After the State was established and thanks to his security-related activities, the immigration institution was interested in using Avramale's services. He was asked by the organization to leave for North Africa in order to establish a small group of Jewish communities which would help the Israeli communities at times of need.

 

It was the 1950s, when the northwest African countries were still controlled by France, but the local population sought independence. At a time like this, Jews were a convenient target.

 

In 1954, Avramale left for Casablanca, Morocco as the guide of Habonim movement in order to train the youth there for Zionist social activity.

 

In this article were present a selection of photos from Avramale's albums, documenting the movement's activity in Morocco and Tunisia, and the immigration of Jews to Israel.


 

1. The movement's emissaries and graduates in Casablanca. From the right: Amnon, Shimshon, David, Rene, Koko, Yitzhak Tsarfati, Avramale


 

2. Summer camp for the youth movement from Casablanca on the Atlas Mountains


 

3. Summer camp for the youth movement from Casablanca on the Atlas Mountains


 

4. Summer camp for the youth movement from Casablanca on the Atlas Mountains


 

5. The movement's dance group


 

6. Members of the movement's secretariat in Morocco – from Rabat and Casablanca - in the sixth convention. From the right: Albert, Miri, Shaul, Ninos, David Ben-Naim


 

7. Movement members' sports activity in Morocco


 

8. Sailing on a ferry to the island of Djerba off the Tunisian coast


 

9. The entrance to the synagogue in the island of Djerba


 

10. Near the synagogue in the island of Djerba with the synagogue's caretaker (second on the left)


 

11. The great market in Djerba


 

12. At the entrance to the Djerba market


 

13. Rural Jews from Morocco's Atlas Mountains arrive in Casablanca ahead of their immigration to Israel


 

14. Loading the immigrants' suitcases at the Casablanca Port. The suitcase reads "Shimon Asulin"


 

15. Families get on the ship ahead of their long trip to the Land of Israel. On days when the Jewish families left, the Casablanca Port would be rented and all of the port's activity focused on the people's departure


 

16. A girl on the ship's deck


 

17. Spending time playing music…


 

18. …and dancing

 

  • For all trips to the past – click here

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.28.08, 12:17
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