Moroccans took to the streets on Friday, September 25, to express their rejection of the normalization of relations with Israel and show their support for the Palestinian cause. The protests, which took place in several cities across the country, were sparked by the announcement of an agreement between Rabat and Tel-Aviv to open respective embassies and exchange ambassadors. The demonstrations were marked by chants against the rapprochement with Israel and the exchange of ambassadors between the two countries.
The largest protest took place in Marrakech, with thousands of people marching through the streets, waving flags and chanting slogans against normalization. The protest was held under the slogan "Friday of Support for Al-Aqsa and Against Normalization with the Occupation Regime." This is the second major protest to take place in Marrakech in recent weeks, following a demonstration in late August against a visit by Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev.
The protests also took place in other cities, including Tanger, where a large demonstration was held on Sunday, September 20, to denounce the new steps taken towards normalization with Israel. The protests have been marked by a strong sense of opposition to the government's decision to normalize relations with Israel, with many Moroccans expressing their support for the Palestinian cause.
The normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel was announced on September 15, with the two countries agreeing to raise their diplomatic representations to the level of embassies with the exchange of ambassadors. The move has been widely criticized by many Moroccans, who see it as a betrayal of the country's long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.
The protests have also been sparked by the behavior of the Moroccan delegation at the United Nations, where they did not boycott a speech by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on September 24. The speech was widely criticized, with 77 delegations leaving the room in protest. Only three countries - Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain - did not leave the room, sparking outrage among many Moroccans.
The Moroccan government has faced criticism for its handling of the protests, with many accusing the authorities of cracking down on demonstrators. The protests have been marked by a strong sense of frustration and anger among Moroccans, who feel that their government has abandoned its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause.
The protests are a significant challenge to the Moroccan government's decision to normalize relations with Israel, and it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the growing opposition. The situation is being closely watched by international observers, who are concerned about the impact of the normalization on the region.
Key points
- Moroccans protest against normalization with Israel
- Protests take place in several cities across Morocco
- Demonstrators express support for the Palestinian cause
