British policy on consular protection and the issue of Moroccan Jews (1856–1886)

Consular protection effectively paved the way for the foreign penetration of Morocco, particularly in the years following the signing of the treaty between Morocco and Britain in 1856. The importance of consular protection is evident from the numerous studies on the subject by western and Moroccan researchers.1

We are primarily concerned here with examining Britain’s role with regard to this problem – a problem which became cancerous leading to the paralysis of the Makhzan and the dismemberment of Morocco’s age-old economic, political and social structures. However, it is impossible to talk about Britain’s role in consular protection without also discussing Britain’s parallel role vis à vis issues regarding the Jews of Morocco.