Morocco’s pro-Palestine protests challenge Rabat’s deepening Israel ties

What the report says

Pro-Palestine demonstrations have spread across several Moroccan cities, highlighting the gap between strong public opposition to normalisation with Israel and Rabat’s continuing efforts to deepen official ties. According to Al Jazeera, the latest wave of protests culminated on September 27 after three days of actions organised by the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Against Normalisation. The mobilisations followed a September 16 announcement that Morocco and Israel would upgrade their diplomatic missions to full embassies and exchange ambassadors.

The article says rallies took place in cities including Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Tangier, Fez, Agadir and others, with some gatherings reported outside Parliament in Rabat. Moroccan media also reported restrictions in certain locations, including bans, dispersals and detentions. A local committee said it had organised dozens of events across the country, though no independent national tally was available. Protest organisers condemned the restrictions and said the actions reflected continued public resistance to normalisation.

Al Jazeera notes that Morocco restored relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, alongside US recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. The recent embassy upgrade also includes plans for investment and tax agreements, more flights and official visits. The story places the protests in a broader political context, including recent parliamentary elections and the continued prominence of the Palestine issue in Moroccan public life. It also cites observers saying the current tension reflects a growing disconnect between state policy and popular sentiment, especially amid the war in Gaza.