This is a testimony of Mr Raphi BITTON, who now lives in Israel and who wanted to share it. The memory of a painful era is important to publish because the prior independence of Morocco, was not always a time without tub or troubles for the Jews of Morocco, like all Moroccans.
It was in 1954 or 55. Morocco was under French protectorate and some Moroccan parties did everything for their independence including attacks against anything that might symbolize the French government.
At the time, tobacco was controlled by the French government and the cigarettes were sold in the regulated tobacco. Such a board was in the middle of the Jewish quarter of Rabat in front of the impasse Assouline, or I lived and led by Mr Benayoun ZL
Because of the situation, the board was protected by two security guards who were watching all day at the door of the shop and the salesman accompanied him home.
Saturday night in question, Mr Benayoun, in advance, had released his guards as it opens for two hours (because of Shabbat).
After the release of three stars, symbolizing the release of Shabbat, my father sent me to buy 10 cigarettes Casa-sport that is sold by unit, I was 11 or 12 years old at the time.
Arrived at the store, I was the only customer, I get a small staircase to get to the counter while Mr Benayoun prepared me cigarettes and all of a sudden, I hear a very loud hiss through my right ear and ends by reach and penetrate the head of Mr Benayoun, who had just managed to open the drawer and get their hands on a gun, but no more. He was dead.
The murderer escaped from a nearby street and there he was killed by a second Arab who fled from the ramparts of the Jewish quarter overlooking the Bouregreg to Salé.
In a few minutes the Jewish quarter was emptied. People were screaming and shouting everywhere were flying everywhere and it was complete confusion. I kept this picture at all times, in my memory, I could not stop shaking and for several days I could not sleep.
I almost to death and for me it was a very painful event.
Mr Raphi BITTON