Morocco’s shameful official silence

Observers inside and outside Morocco are surprised by the shameful official Moroccan silence regarding the dangerous developments taking place in the Middle East, the repercussions of which may extend to the entire region, including Morocco. These observers are wondering where the official Moroccan position is regarding the hellish plans drawn up by America and Israel seeking to liquidate the Palestinian cause and turn the Palestinians into refugees and displaced persons in the Arab world, including Morocco, which has been proposed as a destination for the displacement plan sponsored by the US and implemented by Israel.

As of the time I wrote this article, no official Moroccan position has been publicly issued regarding the Israeli-American plans to displace Palestinians, which have been widely condemned as “ethnic cleansing” by many countries, including European countries allied with Israel and the US.

Rabat’s silence was striking, even when Netanyahu proposed settling the Palestinians in Saudi Arabia, which has strong relations with Morocco. When Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita was asked about his country’s position on the attempt to forcibly uproot the people of Gaza from their land and displace them to Egypt and Jordan, he simply said that “the decision lies with the Palestinians.” When he was asked to comment on Israeli media reports indicating the possibility of transferring the people of Gaza to other places, including Morocco, he found no other answer than to say he does not comment on “newspaper talk”. This same man usually leaves no opportunity to pass him without commenting on what is being issued by the media of a neighbouring country on any other topic unrelated to Israel and the Palestinian cause, which most Moroccans consider a national cause, not only today, but since this cause existed.

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This shameful Moroccan silence did not begin today, as it has been part of Moroccan diplomacy since Israel launched its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip 15 months ago. Only timid official statements and declarations were issued equating the victim with the executioner, and were cold and neutral, referring to the genocidal war as “aggressive acts.” It also put the Palestinian resistance in the same category as the Zionist extremists. Despite popular demands to stop all forms of normalisation with Israel, Rabat maintained its diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv, and all agreements with the occupying state remained in effect. Several arms deals were signed between them, visits by Israeli officials and tourists to Morocco continued, and the Israeli flag was raised in several official demonstrations inside Morocco in a blatant challenge to the feelings of Moroccans.

On the other hand, Rabat reluctantly tolerated, for fear of the streets heating up and tensions growing, the popular protests that continued in several Moroccan cities over the past months, but the authorities themselves did not hesitate to prevent and suppress many demonstrations in support of Palestine, and arrested activists who support the Palestinian cause and oppose normalisation. They were brought to trial and thrown in prison. This fluctuation in the mood of the Moroccan authorities was dictated by the fluctuations in the balance of power in the region and in the world regarding what is happening in Gaza and Palestine in general.

Why question the official Moroccan silence regarding the crimes committed on Palestinian soil, especially regarding the dangerous deals being cooked up to displace the Palestinians and liquidate their cause? First, because Moroccans have historical positions in support of the Palestinian cause, and during the past 15 months, Moroccan cities and villages have witnessed popular positions in support of Gaza and its people. Morocco is the first Arab country, with the exception of Arab countries in which mass marches took place with the support of their authorities – such as the case of Yemen and Iraq – to ​​witness thousands of spontaneous demonstrations, sit-ins and popular marches, in all its regions to support the people of Gaza, without the approval of the official authorities, and sometimes in spite of the decisions preventing them and attempts to suppress them.

Second, because Morocco played important roles in the Arab-Israeli conflict and continued – until recent history – to be a key player in decisive stages, by hosting historic Arab summits and chairing important Arab committees to support the Palestinian cause and the Arab right to Palestine.

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Third, because Morocco, and specifically its King Mohammed VI, is the chairman of the Al-Quds Committee. This is a major moral and symbolic responsibility that calls for clear and explicit positions, and a strong presence of Morocco’s voice and its symbolic, moral, historical and religious weight and standing in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Fourth, because when the official authorities signed the ill-fated normalisation agreements, they officially pledged at the highest level that normalisation would not be at the expense of Morocco’s historical positions on the Palestinian issue, and that Rabat would continue to defend the rights of the Palestinians until the establishment of their independent state.

The current official Moroccan silence is shameful and humiliating. It does not represent Morocco and the majority of Moroccans who participate in mass demonstrations to express their support for the Palestinian issue and their opposition to normalisation. Moreover, it brings humiliation and shame to every free Moroccan man or woman who considers the Palestinian cause their cause. These people would be in the millions if they were given the opportunity to freely express their opinions and positions.

As he stood before Congress, demanding the impeachment of US President Donald Trump, following his proposal to displace the people of Gaza and seize it to turn it into a real estate project, which is considered an ethnic cleansing crime, Democratic Congressman Al Green, who was standing alone under the Capitol dome, said: “On some issues, it is better to stand alone, Mr Speaker, than not stand at all,” noting that he is standing alone for justice. The day will come when this courageous stance is remembered in history. The time has come to stand up and speak the truth before it is too late.

Shame on official Morocco for its humiliating stances towards its people and history. You should be ashamed of your silence and fear, for countries and peoples live by their courageous and clear stances that make history. O Allah, be my witness, that I have conveyed the message.

This article first appeared in Arabic in Al-Araby Al-Jadeed on 12 February 2025

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.