The importance of the demonstration in support of Gaza in Rabat, Morocco cannot be ignored. With hundreds of thousands of people in the streets, this event marks the largest pro-Palestinian rally in twenty years. The demonstrators expressed their solidarity with the Palestinian people and called for the suspension of the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel.
This demonstration testifies to the desire of the Moroccan people to defend the rights of the Palestinian people and to denounce the violence and injustices suffered by the latter. By mobilizing in such large numbers, the demonstrators also sent a strong message to the Moroccan authorities, putting them in a delicate position vis-à-vis normalization with Israel.
The normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel was formalized at the end of 2020, and since then, trade between the two countries has increased considerably. However, the Rabat protest called this normalization into question, calling for a boycott of Israeli products and companies. The demonstrators believe that military and economic cooperation between Morocco and Israel cannot be achieved at the expense of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Faced with this popular mobilization, the Moroccan government finds itself faced with a dilemma. On the one hand, he is keen to preserve the normalization of relations with Israel for political and economic reasons. On the other hand, it must take into account the will and determination of the Moroccan people who express their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause.
In the hours following the demonstration, the Moroccan authorities sought to calm tensions by increasing contacts with the Palestinian authorities. However, this attempt at temporization contrasts with recent declarations on strengthened cooperation between Morocco and Israel.
This demonstration and the resulting reactions highlight the complexity of Moroccan foreign policy. The government must find a balance between national interests, international pressures and the expectations of the Moroccan people. This situation also highlights the importance of popular movements in defining a country’s foreign policy.
In conclusion, the demonstration of support for Gaza in Rabat was a significant moment of solidarity with the Palestinian people. It also highlighted the tensions and dilemmas facing the Moroccan government in its normalization policy with Israel. This gathering testifies to the importance of popular movements in defining a country’s foreign policy and reminds us that rights and justice remain at the heart of the concerns of the Moroccan people.