In a powerful display of solidarity, thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Rabat, the capital city of Morocco, to express their support for Palestine.
Protesters passionately called for an end to what they termed the Israeli “war of extermination” and vehemently opposed their government’s normalization of relations with the occupying force.
Organized by various Moroccan leftist groups and members of the Islamist Justice and Charity movement, the march along Mohammed V Avenue echoed with chants such as “stop the war of extermination in Gaza, stop normalization.”
Banners were hoisted high, conveying messages to save Gaza and free Palestine, condemning the destruction of hospitals in Gaza and the establishment of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Explicit backing for the Palestinian Resistance was evident, with the crowd holding the United States accountable and accusing its government of genocide.
Jihane, a 27-year-old protester, emphasized the urgency of calling the situation a genocide when indiscriminate bombing affects civilians, including infants.
Another protester, 62-year-old Hachimi Damni, voiced his condemnation of Israeli aggression in Gaza and the normalization with “Israel.”
The normalization agreement between the Israeli occupation regime and Morocco, inked in December 2020 under the previous U.S. administration, included a significant declaration recognizing the Western Sahara as part of Morocco.
This move facilitated Israeli business expansion into the Western Sahara, indicating collaboration between “Tel Aviv” and Rabat to integrate the region’s economic system with Morocco’s and extend “Israel’s” influence into Africa.
Western Sahara, formerly a Spanish colony, has rich phosphate resources and access to Atlantic fishing waters.
While Morocco considers it part of its territory, the international community’s recognition varies.
In 1975, Morocco annexed part of the region, and in 1979, it claimed the entire area. Currently, 82 countries recognize Western Sahara’s independence, with the United States being the sole supporter of Moroccan sovereignty.
Demonstrations in Rabat, sparked by the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital massacre in Gaza, led to the departure of the Israeli liaison office’s official, David Govrin, in October.
Socialist MP Nabila Mounib emphasized the need for a permanent ceasefire, advocating for a sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem and the return of exiled Palestinians along with the freedom of Palestinian prisoners.
Moroccan activists and intellectuals echoed the sentiment, calling for an immediate cessation of normalization with Israel and a complete severance of ties.
Over 180 signatories issued a statement urging the Moroccan state to officially and explicitly end all connections with the “Zionist entity.”
Their plea was grounded in human values, condemning the genocide and war crimes against the Palestinian people, asserting the right to Palestinian existence, and emphasizing unwavering support for the Palestinian Resistance.
The signatories declared that ongoing normalization is detrimental to the Palestinian cause, insults Moroccans, and undermines the country’s interests.
