The city council, mayor, and rabbi of Yerucham (pop. 10,000), a city in the northern Negev, celebrated the announcement of new diplomatic ties with Morocco today.
The vast majority of Yerucham's residents are of Moroccan origin.
"We pray for the King of Morocco and pledge to maintain the good relations between the Jews and Muslims of that country as they have been since the reign of the king's grandfather until today," Yerucham's mayor said.
The city's rabbi blessed the king in both Hebrew and Arabic. "Some people say religion is an obstacle to peace but it can also be a foundation for peace when we following the value of mutual respect for one another," the rabbi said.