"I will never forget that His late Majesty King Mohammed V refused to consent to the persecution of Moroccan Jews by the Vichy government during the World War II, saying that the Jews are Moroccan nationals who enjoy the same equal rights as their Muslim brothers", Mr. Bush told MAP.

His late Majesty King Hassan II pursued and strengthened this commitment through an audacious leadership on the international scene to promote peace and interfaith dialogue through his key role in the Middle-East peace process, the former US diplomat noted, adding that since his enthronement, HM King Mohammed VI worked tirelessly to give new impetus to the commitment of his father and grandfather.

"HM King Mohammed VI plays a critical and important role in helping people both in the MENA region and outside to understand the value and the power to work together to bring peaceful outcomes and advance toward peace," Mr. Bush stressed.

Mr. Azoulay, "a tireless and persistent person" committed to dialogue and tolerance, accomplishes his mission under the auspices and with the support of HM King Mohammed VI, he said.

Mr. Azoulay's action is inspired by the extraordinary history of Morocco, which has been a country where all faiths are welcomed, the former ambassador added.

Mr. Bush, who underlined that this award is "totally appropriate", stressed that Mr. Azoulay "recognizes the importance of bringing people together to have successful outcomes".

"I applaud the Israelis for recognizing this most important Jewish person of Moroccan origin," he said.

The President of the State of Israel awarded, on Sunday, the Presidential Medal of Honor to HM the King's Advisor, André Azoulay, known for his historic commitment to peace between Israelis and Palestinians and to a two-state solution.

Past recipients of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor include US Presidents Joe Biden, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as numerous high-profile figures such as Henry Kissinger and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel.