Flags of Israel and Morocco
Flags of Israel and Morocco
An Israeli convicted of child sexual abuse has been unmasked after living under a false identity in Morocco for nearly two decades. Mordechai Peretz, who fled from Israel in 2007 after being sentenced for assaulting two minors, has been living as Morad Farhat, a respected member of Agadir’s small Jewish community.
Israeli website Mako revealed that Peretz used his Moroccan roots to obtain a passport and escape justice. He settled in Agadir, initially keeping a low profile before gaining prominence as a kosher certification official. His position allowed him to travel regularly to Paris, further embedding himself within the Jewish network.
For 18 years, Peretz’s past remained hidden, until a recent photograph of him with a young girl raised concerns. The image prompted a third woman in Israel to come forward, accusing him of sexually abusing her as a child. The Israeli authorities are now cooperating with international agencies to locate and arrest Peretz.
Israeli media reports have revealed that Morad Farhat, a prominent member of the Jewish community in #Agadir, is Mordechai Peretz, a man convicted in Israel for sexually assaulting two minors before fleeing to #Morocco in 2007.
According to a report from the Israeli website… pic.twitter.com/hFYVRKAK8g
— Hespress English (@HespressEnglish) March 15, 2025
Morocco World News cited sources as claiming that Peretz had forged his passport with the help of a high-profile Israeli criminal. Despite changing his name, he remained in touch with his family and friends and even created a Facebook profile where he flaunted his new life. “He wasn’t worried about being caught… He must have felt very safe in Morocco,” a source was quoted as saying.
Israel’s Law of Return, which grants automatic citizenship to Jewish individuals worldwide, has been exploited by accused and convicted paedophiles seeking refuge from legal repercussions in their home countries. Between 2014 and 2020, at least 60 Americans accused of sexually abusing children reportedly fled to the occupation state, according to Jewish Community Watch, an organisation tracking such cases.
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