Moses Pallache

Moses Pallache (died 1650), was a Jewish-Moroccan-born merchant and diplomat of the Pallache family, who emerged as leader of his second generation.

Background

Pallache was born to father Joseph Pallache; his uncle was Samuel Pallache.

In 1656, Menasseh ben Israel wrote, 'In the Kingdom of Barbary, their [sic] lives also a great number of Iews ... at Marrocco, the Court and Kings house, where they have their Naguid or Prince that governs them, and is their Iudge, and is called at this day, Seignor Moseh Palache'.

His name appears in English records from 1636 to his death. It also appears in the Spanish translation of a 1638 treaty between the English and Moroccans.

His prominence in Morocco led many relatives to return there from the Netherlands, including his brothers Joshua and Abraham. Joshua became a tax official. Abraham set up in the port of Safi, where he provisioned ships and served as unofficial consult for the Dutch.

Death

Pallache probably died in Morocco around 1650.