Serge Berdugo (born 26 November 1937) is a Moroccan lawyer and politician who served as Minister of Tourism for both Prime Ministers Mohammed Karim Lamrani and Abdellatif Filali between 1993 and 1995.[1] Berdugo is a leader within the Moroccan Jewish community, serving as Secretary-General of the Israelite Community Council of Morocco and President of the Israelite Community of Casablanca.[2]

Biography

Serge Berdugo was born on 26 November 1937 in Meknes. A Moroccan Jew, his ancestors came to Morocco from Portugal in 1492 during the Portuguese Inquisition.[3] From 1964 to 1977, he worked as the spokesperson for the National Bank of Economic Development (BNDE).[4] In 1977 Berdugo became Vice President of External Relations for the Israelite Community Council, becoming its president ten years later. That title includes serving as the head of the World Union of Moroccan Judaism. In his role, he has worked for better integration of Moroccan Jews into larger Moroccan society as well as the renovation of Jewish community institutions. Under his presidency, he created the Foundation for Moroccan Jewish Heritage with the objective of restoring Jewish historical sites in Morocco, as well as the creation of the Moroccan Jewish Museum in Casablanca.[2]

A fierce supporter of interfaith dialogue and peace in the Middle East, he has worked closely on ways to promote reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.[5]

In 1992, Berdugo worked with the Moroccan government and the Monarchy to have the bodies of those who died in the shipwreck of the Egoz buried in Israel.[6]

In 1993, he was named Minister of Tourism by King Hassan II in the Cabinet of Mohammed Karim Lamrani. He continued in this role in 1994 in the government of Abdellatif Filali.[7] In 1995, Berdugo was named Commander of the Order of the Throne, becoming the first Moroccan Jew to receive the distinction.

Since March 2006, Berdugo has served as an at-large ambassador on behalf of the King of Morocco.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Historique des gouvernements marocains" (PDF). Government of Morocco. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  2. 1 2 Ouchagour, Leila. "Serge Berdugo : "Nous sommes dans une phase de préservation et d'entretien du patrimoine juif marocain"" (in French). Aujourd'hui le Maroc. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  3. ↑ Hachim, Mouna (2012). Dictionnaire des noms de famille du Maroc (Nouvelle édition augmentée ed.). Editions le Fennec. p. 135. ISBN 9789954306987.
  4. ↑ Park, Thomas Kerlin; Boum, Aomar (2006). Historical Dictionary of Morocco. Scarecrow Press. p. 73. ISBN 978-0-8108-5341-6.
  5. ↑ Trialogue and terror : Judaism, Christianity, and Islam after 9/11. Cascade Books. 2012. p. 200. ISBN 9781608995462. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  6. ↑ Ben-Chetrit, Sam. "51 ANS DEJA LA AZKARA DES NOYES DU BATEAU EGOZ A ASHDOD LE 10 JANVIER 2012". dafina.net. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  7. 1 2 Boum, Aomar (2013). Memories of absence : how Muslims remember Jews in Morocco. Stanford University Press. p. 127. ISBN 9780804788519. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
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