Protests took place last night in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, where dozens of activists rallied against Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and expressed their solidarity with the Palestinians. The protesters, affiliated with the “Moroccan Initiative of Support and Victory” under the Unity and Reform Movement, demanded an end to the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel. This article examines the reasons behind these protests, the impact of the normalization of relations with Israel on Morocco’s domestic politics, and King Mohammed VI’s delicate position amidst these tensions.

The Protests: Support for Palestine and Rejection of Normalization

Moroccan activists chanted slogans against what they referred to as “Zionist terrorist crimes” and waved Palestinian flags, calling for an end to normalization with Israel. “Oussama Ramal,” President of the Unity and Reform Movement, told Reuters that Israeli warplanes were destroying homes with women, children, and elderly people inside, describing these actions as war crimes.

Ramal also criticized the normalization of relations with Israel, calling it a “pandemic more dangerous than the coronavirus pandemic.” According to him, countries that have normalized their relations with Israel have only experienced misfortunes and calamities. The Moroccan protests thus demonstrate unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and firm opposition to the normalization of relations with Israel.

The Context of Normalization of Relations between Morocco and Israel

Morocco established relations with Israel in December 2020 through U.S. mediation, in exchange for the United States’ recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory. This normalization has sparked criticism and protests throughout the country, putting King Mohammed VI in a difficult situation.

The establishment of relations with Israel has been seen by some as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause, while others believe that this decision will improve economic and diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel. Nevertheless, the protests show that normalization is far from unanimous in the country and that the issue remains a source of internal tensions.

Implications for Morocco’s Domestic Politics and Mohammed VI’s Position

King Mohammed VI finds himself in a difficult position, needing to strike a balance between diplomatic interests and the expectations of his population. On one hand, normalization with Israel has allowed Morocco to strengthen its position on the Western Sahara issue and improve its relations with the United States. On the other hand, this decision has generated widespread discontent among Moroccans, who view this normalization as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and indirect support for Israeli actions in Gaza.

Therefore, King Mohammed VI must take into account the concerns of his population while maintaining the diplomatic and economic benefits obtained through normalization. He could consider playing a mediating role between Israel and Palestine, using his position to encourage peace negotiations and thereby ease internal tensions in Morocco.

The Impact of Israeli Strikes on Gaza in Arab and Muslim Countries

The protests in Morocco are also indicative of the impact of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in Arab and Muslim countries, which continue to support the Palestinian cause despite the normalization agreements signed with Israel. The “Moroccan Front for Support of Palestine and Opposition to Normalization” called for a demonstration in Rabat on Sunday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, marking the historical crime committed against Palestine and its people.

These protests show that normalization of relations with Israel has not put an end to support for the Palestinian cause in Arab and Muslim countries, and that Israeli strikes on Gaza continue to evoke indignation and anger in these nations. The governments involved must therefore take these sentiments into account when evaluating their foreign policy towards Israel and Palestine.

An Uncertain Future for Morocco-Israel Relations

The protests in Morocco indicate that the normalization of relations with Israel is far from unanimous in the country and highlight the internal tensions associated with this decision. Mohammed VI is thus faced with a dilemma: to maintain normalization with Israel and risk alienating a portion of his population, or to reverse this decision and jeopardize the diplomatic gains achieved.

The future of relations between Morocco and Israel will need to be closely monitored, especially in light of the evolving situation in Gaza and internal pressures within Morocco. The actions taken by Mohammed VI in the coming months will be crucial to determining the future of relations between the two countries and how Morocco manages its relations with Palestine and the Palestinian cause.

Ultimately, the protests in Morocco reflect the outrage of the Moroccan people in response to Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and the normalized relations with Israel. Mohammed VI finds himself in a challenging position, needing to strike a balance between diplomatic interests and the expectations of his population. The decisions he makes in the coming months will have a significant influence on the future of relations between Morocco, Israel, and Palestine.