Rabat – The resilience of the Palestinian people and the imposition of a ceasefire agreement on the Zionist occupation have reignited calls among Moroccans to terminate normalization with the Israeli regime. This growing demand is evident through widespread protests and continuous statements from various political parties and organizations, all urging the annulment of the normalization agreements signed in December 2020, which were opposed by the majority of Moroccans.
Popular and Political Rejection of Normalization
The Moroccan Observatory for Anti-Normalization declared on its official social media pages that “just as the Zionist aggression on Gaza was defeated, normalization in Morocco will also fall.” The observatory called on the Moroccan regime to respond to the will of the people by canceling what it described as “agreements of shame” with the Israeli entity.
Similarly, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) issued a statement following its National Council session titled “The Session of Resilience and Victory,” where it reaffirmed its absolute rejection of all forms of normalization. The party called for “severing all ties and annulling all agreements with the Zionist entity.”
The PJD also urged continued resistance against the “dangerous Zionist penetration” that threatens Morocco’s social, cultural, educational, and economic fabric. It emphasized that the Zionist regime is a rogue entity responsible for war crimes and genocide against the Palestinian people, with its leaders facing prosecution as war criminals before the International Criminal Court.
The party further demanded the closure of the Israeli liaison office in Rabat, the expulsion of Israeli representatives, and the dissolution of the so-called Committee of Friendship with Israel.
Civil Society Mobilization Against Normalization
The Moroccan Front for Support of Palestine and Opposition to Normalization, an umbrella group comprising dozens of organizations and associations, reiterated its call for the Moroccan regime to cancel all agreements with Israel, describing the Zionist regime as a “failed entity.” It emphasized that “normalization is a stain of shame on the kingdom’s reputation.”
The Front condemned the ongoing trials against anti-normalization activists, expressing full solidarity with them. It denounced these trials as politically motivated efforts to criminalize opposition to normalization, stressing that the real crime lies in normalization itself, which undermines the sovereignty of Morocco and the will of its people.
Calls from the BDS Movement
The Moroccan chapter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement issued a statement labeling the Moroccan government’s normalization with Israel as “the true crime,” while defending those who oppose normalization as patriots fighting for justice.
The BDS statement specifically highlighted the case of its member Ismail Ghazawi, who was imprisoned for his firm stance against normalization. The organization described him as someone “committed to justice, refusing to allow his homeland to be exploited by the Zionist enemy, and dedicated to defending Morocco’s dignity and Palestine’s freedom.”
The movement further stated that complicity in the genocide against Palestinians is an “unforgivable betrayal” and warned that authoritarian attempts to silence free voices would ultimately fail.
Universities Resist Academic Normalization
In the same context, the National Union of Moroccan Students expressed its strong opposition to normalization, especially within academic institutions. In a statement, the union described attempts to normalize relations with Israel in Moroccan universities as a “historical crime that cannot be ignored.”
The union pledged to confront all forms of normalization in educational institutions, asserting that “normalization with the occupation is a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and the Moroccan people, who have consistently supported Palestine.”
The statement added, “As students and activists, we remain steadfast in our principles and will not hesitate to challenge any attempt to advance normalization in our universities or elsewhere.” It emphasized that “Palestine is free, and our struggle against the occupation will continue until full liberation is achieved.”
The union also highlighted the significant response of Moroccan universities during Israel’s aggression on Gaza in October 2023, with 12 universities and 40 academic institutions actively supporting the Palestinian cause.
The union concluded by affirming its commitment to the ongoing battle against normalization, particularly in academic settings, as part of the broader struggle to uphold justice and solidarity with Palestine.
Widespread Protests Against Normalization
Across Morocco, daily protests are growing in support of the Palestinian people’s right to establish an independent state. These protests also call for the immediate annulment of normalization agreements with Israel, which protesters argue pose a serious and existential threat to Morocco and the entire region.
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Author: Nor-Eleslam
