Southwest of Oujda is Debdou, a town which had a significant Jewish population, as shown by its large mellah and two Jewish cemeteries. Debdou saints include Youssef Bensimon, Jacob Cohen, Ishak Ben Moche Cohen, Mardochee Ben Moche Cohen, and Moche Ben Sultan.
Until 1960s over half the population of Dendou were Jewish, most of whom were the descendant of Jews from Taza who fled persecution and chaos of BouHmara’s rule (1902 1908).