On Friday, dozens of Moroccans gathered in front of the Parliament building in Rabat to express their support for the Palestinian people and the Al-Aqsa mosque, while denouncing the country's normalization with Israel. The rally was organized by the Moroccan Initiative for Support and Relief and the National Working Group for Palestine. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in favor of Palestine, condemning violations in occupied Jerusalem and calling for an end to the normalization process.
The protest took place amid increased tensions in occupied Jerusalem, where extremist Israeli settlers have intensified their incursions into the Al-Aqsa mosque during Jewish holidays. According to the Jerusalem Governorate, 11,409 Israeli settlers stormed the mosque between September 12 and October 1, with 9,138 entering the mosque's esplanade during the first five days of the Sukkot holiday. The situation has sparked concerns among Palestinians and Jordanians, who have reiterated their calls to preserve the historical and legal status quo of the mosque.
Abdelhafidh Sriti, coordinator of the National Working Group for Palestine, addressed the rally, warning of the dangers facing the Al-Aqsa mosque and calling for Arab and Islamic mobilization to protect the site. He emphasized that the mosque is in danger and that everyone must take action. Sriti also expressed concerns that the threats to Al-Aqsa go beyond incursions and fires, and now target the mosque itself.
The Moroccan protesters are demanding an end to the country's normalization with Israel, which was re-established in late 2020. The normalization process has been met with opposition from various civil and political organizations in Morocco, which have continued to show solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The rally in Rabat is part of a series of mobilizations organized across several Moroccan cities in support of Palestine and Al-Aqsa.
The management of the Al-Aqsa mosque's affairs falls under the Jerusalem Islamic Waqfs Directorate, which is attached to the Jordanian Ministry of Waqfs. The Palestinian and Jordanian authorities have repeatedly called for the preservation of the mosque's status quo, amid concerns over Israeli attempts to alter the site's character. The situation remains tense, with continued incursions by Israeli settlers and clashes between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli security forces.
The Moroccan protesters' demands reflect a broader sentiment in the country, where many citizens remain skeptical of the normalization process with Israel. The rally in Rabat demonstrates that the Palestinian issue remains a pressing concern for many Moroccans, who are committed to showing solidarity with the Palestinian people. The protesters' slogans and chants reflected their support for Palestine and their rejection of normalization.
As tensions continue to escalate in occupied Jerusalem, the Moroccan protesters' voices are likely to be heard in the coming days. The situation in Al-Aqsa remains a source of concern for Palestinians, Jordanians, and other Arabs and Muslims who consider the mosque a sacred site. The Moroccan government's response to the protests and the ongoing normalization process will be closely watched by those following the situation.
Key points
- Moroccan protesters rally against normalization with Israel, citing solidarity with Palestine and concerns over Al-Aqsa mosque.
- The protest took place amid increased tensions in occupied Jerusalem, where extremist Israeli settlers have intensified their incursions into the Al-Aqsa mosque during Jewish holidays.
- The Moroccan government's response to the protests and the ongoing normalization process will be closely watched by those following the situation.
