Unrest in Morocco: Anti-Israel protests and the push for change
Demonstrators are urging Morocco to break diplomatic relations with Israel, focusing their efforts on disrupting key seaports.
In Morocco's bustling ports, protesters have been rallying against the government's decision to normalize ties with Israel. The anger was ignited after a ship, suspected of transporting components for F-35 fighter jets, docked in the country.
Recent demonstrations, with over a thousand protesters in Tangier alone, demand a ban on such ships and a break from diplomatic relations with Israel. The dockworkers' union has even refused to load the cargo, effectively blocking its transportation.
The bitter emotions run deep. Activists argue that facilitating military shipments during Israel's ongoing conflict with Gaza amounts to complicity in genocide against Palestinians. This sentiment has created a chasm between the public's demands and the government's actions.
Morocco, one of four Arab states that normalized ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords, finds itself in a predicament. Unlike others, the Arab state has yet to reverses their decision, despite growing dissent among the public. Protesters see this as a betrayal of their national sentiments.
Aboubakr Jamai, dean of the Madrid Center at the American College of the Mediterranean, remarks, "I've rarely seen such a chasm between public opinion and the monarchy."
Activism Amidst Repression
Ismail Lghazaoui, an agricultural engineer and activist, spent two months in prison last year for advocating against normalization. Despite the harsh treatment, he has continued to participate in protests. His most recent appearance was after his release, joining the resurgent protests of April.
Authorities have not shied away from suppressing dissenting voices. The Moroccan constitution guarantees freedom of expression, but criticizing the monarchy is illegal, as Lghazaoui found out. Arrests and prison sentences have did little to quell public discontent, demonstrating the growing resistance among Moroccan citizens.
Similar constraints are common in nations like Egypt and Jordan, which have maintained ties with Israel while publicly sympathizing with Palestine and imprisoning activists who express discontent. However, Morocco stands out as the most unaffected by these repressive measures.
Activists Target the Ports
Recently, activists have concentrated their efforts on the strategic ports of Morocco as a new front in their boycott campaign. They have demanded the blocking of ships carrying fighter jet components that they suspect could end up in Israel.
The call for action resonated with thousands, including port workers and religious scholars, many affiliated with the anti-monarchy Islamist movement Al Adl wal Ihsan. Their support has fueled the momentum of the port protests.
Although Morocco's ports are subject to cargo examinations, ships en route to other destinations are typically unexamined. This loophole has raised concerns among activists that weapons could be discreetly transported through Morocco.
A Nation Divided
The focus on Gaza has diverted attention from pressing domestic struggles, according to some observers in Morocco. Voices from nationalist circles on social media have emphasized the marginalization of the Indigenous Amazigh population and the dispute over Western Sahara, which they argue are more critical to national identity and sovereignty.
For others, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has sparked a shift in attitudes. The Islamist Justice and Development Party, which once backed normalization with Israel, recently extended invitations to senior Hamas officials to its congress in Rabat. However, the officials were unable to secure visas to enter Morocco.
One thing is certain: Palestine remains a significant cause for many Moroccans, as shown by their passionate protests and unyielding calls for change. It remains to be seen how long the government can withstand the growing pressure to align its policies with the will of its people.
- Amidst the unrest in Morocco, Ismail Lghazaoui, despite facing imprisonment for his activism against normalization, has continued to voice his opinion and participate in protests.
- The Moroccan government received criticism for their decision to normalize ties with Israel, as shown by the protests against the docking of a Maersk ship suspected of transporting F-35 fighter jet components.
- Businesses in Seattle have started to protest against the government's politics, siding with the anti-Israel protesters in Morocco.
- The President of the Moroccan Federation of Business Leaders and economists, who prefers to remain anonymous, expressed his concern over the political constraints imposed on businesses due to the ongoing protests and war-and-conflicts related issues.
- The general news outlets reported the ongoing protests in Morocco, highlighting the divide within the nation, with activists protesting the government's diplomatic relations with Israel while marginalized groups focus on domestic struggles such as the Indigenous Amazigh population and the dispute over Western Sahara.
- Recently, the Islamist movement Al Adl wal Ihsan has joined the port protests in Morocco, fueling the momentum for the activists who target the ports as a new front in their boycott campaign against Israel.
