Morocco Faces Widespread Protests Over Senior Israeli Defense Ministry Official’s Visit
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Moroccan political parties, civil activists, and student organizations have declared their opposition to the expansion of security and military cooperation between Morocco and the Israeli regime, demanding the cancellation of agreements signed with Tel Aviv.
Aziz Hanaoui, representative of the opposition Justice and Development Party in the Moroccan Parliament, called for the dissolution of the Morocco-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group, deeming its continued operation contrary to the stance of the Moroccan people in support of Palestine and Al-Quds. He stated that any association with the occupiers is unacceptable, citing the ongoing Israeli attacks against Gaza, the West Bank, and Al-Quds.
The Speaker of the Moroccan Parliament also emphasized the support of parliamentary factions for the rights of the Palestinian people. Meanwhile, Abdelilah Benkirane, Secretary-General of Morocco’s Justice and Development Party, reaffirmed his party’s fundamental opposition to normalizing relations with the Israeli regime. However, he indicated no intention to challenge the Moroccan government’s strategic decisions, a position that drew reactions from some researchers and political activists.
The “Moroccan Initiative for Support and Solidarity with Palestine” issued a statement condemning the visit of the Israeli official and stressed the necessity of abrogating agreements with the Israeli side. Moroccan political and human rights activists also warned about the repercussions of expanding military cooperation with Tel Aviv and its impact on national sovereignty and security.
The student organization “Student Renovation” in Morocco held a protest gathering on the university campus to express its opposition to cultural and academic collaborations with the Israeli regime, calling for the cessation of all forms of official and popular cooperation. Furthermore, the “Moroccan Initiative for Support of Palestine and Opposition to Normalization” urged parties, unions, and civil institutions to participate in a demonstration on Sunday, November 29 (8th of Azar), in various cities as part of the National Day of Protest Against Normalization and Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
These protests emerge as Amir Bar’am’s visit to Rabat aims to follow up on and develop security and defense cooperation agreements between the two parties. He was officially welcomed by officials from the National Defense Administration and the General Command of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. During their discussions, both sides engaged in talks concerning the development of cybersecurity cooperation, the exchange of experiences, the procurement of military technologies and equipment, and the establishment of joint defense industry infrastructure.
