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Zenger
Zenger
World
Alberto Arellano

Moroccan Adviser And Canadian Professor Receive Israeli Presidential Medal Of Honor

Former judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights Manuel Robles (L) shakes hands with Argentina Secretary for Human Rights Santiago Canton following a news conference about their report on human rights in Venezuela at the Organization of American States May 29, 2018, in Washington, DC. Robles, Canton and former Canadian Justice Minister and Attorney General Irwin Cotler authored an OAS-commissioned report released Tuesday that said that 'reasonable grounds exist to believe that crimes against humanity have been committed in Venezuela' since Feburary 2014, including arbitrary detention, murder, extrajudicial killings and other crimes. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

A senior adviser to the King of Morocco and an internationally renowned Canadian law professor involved in combating global antisemitism are among the recipients of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, the President’s Office announced on Sunday.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) greets Prince Moulay Rachid ben al-Hassan (R), brother of King Mohammed VI of Morocco ahead of the 32nd Arab League Summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on May 19, 2023. (Bandar Aljaloud / Royal Court of Saudi Arabia / Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) 

The award, bestowed upon individuals who “made a unique contribution to the State of Israel,” will be conferred upon André Azoulay, 82, a senior adviser to King Mohammed VI, and Irwin Cotler, 83, a former Justice Minister of Canada and a world-renowned human rights advocate who has been a global leader in the fight against antisemitism.

“Azoulay has made an extraordinary contribution to Moroccan Jewry, the Jewish world, and the State of Israel, in cultivating and preserving relations with Morocco over the years, preserving Jewish heritage in Morocco, and providing support and advice to Israeli leaders in their quest for peace in the Middle East,” the President’s Office said in a statement announcing the honorees.

Azoulay founded the organization “Identity and Dialogue” in order to restore the Jewish heritage in Morocco and promote cross-cultural communication between Jews and Palestinians. In 2020, in the presence of the Moroccan King, a center for Jewish culture that Azoulay founded “Beit Dakhira,” was inaugurated in Asavira and “serves as a meeting place for Muslims and Jews and even hosts artists and creators from Israel.”

“His vision of establishing friendly and peaceful relations between Israel and Morocco was realized in the Abraham Accords and his influence is evident in every area of these relations,” the statement said.

Former Canadian Justice Minister Cotler, the statement continued, “is an influential leader who fights against the delegitimization of Israel and manifestations of antisemitism in the international arena. He has greatly contributed to Israel’s standing on the international stage with his commitment to the continued prosperity of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.”

In all, 13 people, ranging in age from 35-102, will receive the prize, in a festive ceremony in September, coinciding with Israel’s 75th anniversary year.

The Presidential Medal of Honor was an initiative of the Ninth President of the State of Israel, the late Shimon Peres, and was awarded for the first time in 2012. To date, the award has been awarded to 26 recipients, on the recommendation of an advisory committee headed by the retired president of the Supreme Court.

Produced in association with Jewish News Syndicate

Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager

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