Jerusalem commemorates the ‘Egoz’ shipwreck disaster, 65 years later

In those years, the Moroccan government banned Jewish immigration to Israel, so the Mossad worked covertly to bring Jews from Morocco. On the night of the 23rd of Tevet (January 10, 1961), the Egoz sailed toward Israel on what would turn out to be its last voyage.

The ship left the coast of Al Hoceima in northern Morocco toward the Port of Gibraltar, and from there it was supposed to reach its destination – the Holy Land. Tragically, in the middle of the voyage, the ship sank. The result was bitter.

Nineteen years later – very belatedly, it must be said – the Israeli government adopted a decision recognizing the victims as martyrs. As part of government decision No. 300 of Dec. 28, 1980, it was determined that the 44 illegal immigrants would be recognized as martyrs and that the 20th of Tevet would be an official and national day to commemorate Illegal Immigration and Underground Fighters Day from North Africa.

The decision was led by housing minister David Levy, who worked extensively on the issue of recognition, together with Sam Ben-Shitrit, the Bejad organization, the families of the deceased, and the Public Council for the Commemoration of Egoz Immigrants.

In December 1992, the circle was partially closed. As part of Operation Ayelet HaShahar, the bones of 22 of the bodies were brought for burial from Al-Husma in Morocco to Israel and respectfully laid to rest on Mount Herzl. This was at the end of a complex operation that had lasted 31 years since the sinking disaster.

The commander of the operation, Sam Ben-Shitrit (who carried out more than 40 missions), made worldwide efforts through the mediation of the then-king of Morocco, Hassan II, as well as Israel’s heads of state at that time, Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. US president Dwight Eisenhower also intervened and acted in front of the king. Since then, the bereaved families have had a grave and a plot of land to visit every year.

The Egoz sinking disaster caused a stir in Israel, the Jewish world, and the immigration process. And it was a catalyst for the opening of the dam from Morocco, which led to the mass immigration of Moroccan Jews in those years. The peak of the immigration was Operation Yachin, which was held between 1961 and 1964, during which about 90,000 Jews immigrated from Morocco to Israel.

This year, the State of Israel marks 65 years since the tragic disaster. It is amazing to see the large number of people who come every year to pay their respects to the fallen. Family members for whom the ascent to the mountain is already difficult, guests, acquaintances, friends, the Jewish people, and especially many teenagers and young adults come from all over the country to hear, learn, and get up close and personal with the heroic story of the Egoz martyrs.

The families of the martyrs say that their loved ones knew about the dangers that awaited them when they boarded the ship, but they did not give up. The Moroccan authorities absolutely forbade Zionist immigration to Israel, and the Moroccan secret service acted against Jews who violated the law. Even the forces of nature were not always on their side. Despite this, they set out for the Jewish state.

This story is, in a nutshell (literally), the essence of Zionism – the sacrifice and willingness of Moroccan Jews to do anything to reach the land of their ancestors. It is a heroic story about Jews who were willing to risk their lives to reach the Land of Israel, even when the state had not yet opened its gates wide to them.