In Rabat, Morocco, an extensive demonstration was held on Sunday, with tens of thousands of people expressing their anger at the latest Israeli military actions in Gaza. This gathering was one of the largest in Morocco in recent times, with participants voicing their displeasure not only towards Israel and the United States but also towards their own government. Demonstrators walked on Israeli flags, brandished banners depicting Hamas leaders who had been killed, and held up posters that juxtaposed U.S. President Donald Trump with displaced Palestinians forced to flee their homes.
The protest organizers criticized Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians since Israel intensified air and ground attacks the previous month. These military actions are intended to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining hostages.
Demonstrations similar to this one have been seen throughout the Middle East and North Africa, where regional leaders are often concerned that such protests could destabilize their own countries. Recently, pro-Palestinian protests were also organized in the capitals of Tunisia and Yemen, and in Casablanca, Morocco’s most populous city.
Even in countries traditionally aligned with the U.S., there has been notable opposition to Trump’s policies. In Rabat, protestors criticized Trump’s controversial proposal to displace millions of Palestinians to facilitate the redevelopment of Gaza, as well as his administration’s efforts to pursue pro-Palestinian activists.
However, many Moroccans feel that Trump’s policies closely mirror those of his predecessor, Joe Biden. Mohammed Toussi, who traveled with his family from Casablanca to join the protest, said, “(Trump) has made the war worse,” adding, “Biden hid some things but Trump has shown it all,” indicating that while their policies might be similar, their communication styles differ.
There remains significant discontent among Moroccans regarding the nation’s decision in 2020 to normalize ties with Israel. Abdelhak El Arabi, an adviser to Morocco’s former Islamist prime minister, stated that the reasons behind the protests have expanded with the duration of the war, and he anticipates that public anger will persist until the conflict ceases.
“It’s not a war, Gaza is getting erased from the earth,” observed a 62-year-old protestor from Tamesna.
The protests feature a variety of groups, including the Islamist association al Adl Wal Ihsan. While Moroccan authorities generally permit such demonstrations, they have detained several activists who protested near businesses or foreign embassies, especially when complaints have implicated the monarchy.
The current conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and the taking of 251 hostages. Most hostages have now been released following ceasefire agreements and other arrangements. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed as part of Israel’s response, though it does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The extensive war has largely demolished Gaza and displaced around 90% of its population at its peak.