A Moroccan court dismissed a request to bar Israeli Minister Miri Regev from entering the country, sparking protests against normalization with Israel. Protesters labeled the government’s ties a betrayal of Palestine, especially amid ongoing violence. Activists expressed their determination to oppose normalization efforts despite the government’s diplomatic relations with Israel initiated in 2020.
A Moroccan court recently rejected a request to prevent Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev from entering the country. This decision led to protests in Morocco, where many view the government’s normalization with Israel as a betrayal of its historic pro-Palestinian stance. Regev’s participation in a conference in Marrakech raised significant outrage, especially given her controversial role in the Israeli government.
The lawsuit, filed by a group of Moroccan lawyers, accused Regev of involvement in war crimes against Palestinians and sought to block her appearance at the Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety. Khaled Soufiani, a prominent lawyer opposing normalization with Israel, criticized the court’s ruling, claiming, “The court has refused to take responsibility.”
Regev’s visit followed a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, amplifying tensions in Morocco, where public sentiment heavily favors Palestine. Shortly after the court ruling, protests erupted outside the parliament in Rabat with demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and chanting against normalization with Israel. Protesters called normalization a betrayal of Palestine, stating, “Palestine is a trust, normalisation is treason!”
The demonstrations were organized by the Moroccan Front Against Normalisation, which denounced the government’s ties with Israel amidst accusations of war crimes. The national coordinator, Mohamed El-Ghafri, stated that protests would continue during Regev’s attendance at the conference, condemning her presence as disgraceful amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The conflict has resulted in an immense toll on Palestinian lives, with more than 48,000 reported casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza. Despite existing diplomatic relations, many Moroccans opposed normalization, especially after the recent escalation of violence against Palestinians.
Morocco normalized ties with Israel in 2020 through the Abraham Accords, which also included US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Following the subsequent Israeli attacks on Gaza starting in October 2023, Morocco saw a rise in anti-normalization protests, reflecting public demand for a shift in its foreign policy.
In response to the ongoing war, the Moroccan government has tempered official Israeli visits while maintaining its diplomatic relations. However, the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement in Morocco has criticized the government for re-engaging with Israel post-ceasefire, pointing to new arms deals and continued construction of the Israeli embassy.
Soufiani declared the resolve of opposition forces, stating, “We will continue this fight. Israel is a terrorist entity, and its officials should not be welcomed here,” emphasizing the depth of the sentiment against normalization with Israel.
The Moroccan court’s decision to allow Israeli Minister Miri Regev to enter the country ignited widespread protests reflecting the strong anti-normalization sentiment amidst ongoing violence in Gaza. Despite Morocco’s diplomatic ties with Israel, public opposition remains robust, especially given the recent humanitarian crisis. Activists vow to continue their fight against normalization, highlighting the complexities of Morocco’s foreign relations against a backdrop of historical support for Palestine.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
