Israeli tourist filmed waving flag at Morocco-Algeria border sparks backlash

A video showing an Israeli tourist waving the Israeli flag near the border between Morocco and Algeria has sparked widespread backlash online and drawn condemnation from pro-Palestinian groups in Morocco, according to Israeli media reports.

The Hebrew-language news site Ynet reported that the footage, circulating since Friday on Moroccan and Arab social media platforms, was filmed in the Saidia border area on the Moroccan side, where Algerian soldiers were visible a short distance away.

In the video, a woman is seen raising the Israeli flag, prompting the appearance of a Palestinian flag on the Algerian side in response, only metres from the border line. The incident triggered strong reactions across social media and in Moroccan media outlets, with some criticism directed at Israel and at the presence of Israeli tourists in the area.

Ynet said the woman was part of an organised tour group visiting the region.

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The Moroccan branch of the Front for the Support of Palestine and Opposition to Normalisation with Israel, based in the city of Berkane, was among the first groups to condemn the incident, describing it as an insult to Moroccan public sentiment and to the country’s widespread opposition to normalisation with Israel.

The group said the act was provocative and accused Israel of seeking to sow tension between neighbouring peoples. Palestinian activist in Morocco Fathi Abdel Samad also criticised the incident, describing it as an offensive provocation towards Algerians and a shameful development given Morocco’s longstanding public support for the Palestinian cause.

Israeli media have previously highlighted concerns over the behaviour of some Israeli tourists abroad, with Channel 12 noting that incidents involving what it called “rude Israelis” have negatively affected Israel’s image internationally, particularly in the wake of the war on Gaza.

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