For nearly two decades, an Israeli man convicted of child sexual abuse has lived undetected within the Jewish community of Agadir, Morocco, under a false identity. Mordechai Peretz, who fled Israel in 2007 after being sentenced for assaulting two minors, established himself as Morad Farhat, becoming a respected figure within the community.
The revelation, brought to light by Israeli website Mako, details how Peretz used his Moroccan heritage to secure a passport and evade justice. He initially maintained a discreet presence in Agadir before rising to prominence as a kosher certification official, a position that facilitated frequent travel to Paris and further entrenched him within the Jewish network.
His carefully constructed facade remained intact for 18 years, until a recent photograph of him with a young girl triggered alarm. This image prompted a third woman in Israel to come forward, accusing him of similar abuse during her childhood. Israeli authorities are now working with international agencies to locate and apprehend Peretz. Sources cited by Morocco World News allege that Peretz obtained his forged passport with the assistance of a prominent Israeli criminal.
Despite his name change, he maintained contact with family and friends and publicly displayed his new life on Facebook, indicating a sense of impunity. Concerns have been raised regarding the exploitation of Israel’s Law of Return, which grants automatic citizenship to Jewish individuals globally, by those seeking to escape prosecution for child sexual abuse. Reports indicate that numerous individuals accused of such crimes have sought refuge in Israel.
