Morocco rights activists protest against normalisation with Israel

Hundreds of Moroccan human rights activists and citizens yesterday protested against growing relations with Israel, days after Israeli Defence Minister, Benny Gantz, visited Rabat.

The Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and against Normalisation called on Saturday on Moroccans to participate in the protests which were held in the cities of Oujda and Berkane, Ben Slimane, Beni-Mellal and Oulad Teima while the authorities prevented a similar event in the capital, Rabat.

The protesters called for ending normalisation with Israel and supporting the Palestinian cause.

The Moroccan Front rejected in a statement what it called using “Morocco as a vehicle for the Zionist entity [Israel] to achieve its expansionist projects in the Great Maghreb” and condemned Gantz’s visit to Rabat.

It also rejected any cooperation with the “enemies of the Palestinian people”, which it said “constitutes a devastating danger to Morocco and the entire region”.

Morocco and Israel signed two agreements on the sidelines of Gantz’s visit, including an agreement in the field of defence and the second for Rabat’s purchase of Israeli weapons and drones.

Moroccan authorities say the resumption of relations with Israel aims to serve the kingdom’s highest interest while affirming their continued support for the Palestinian people.

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