Morocco-Israel ties deepen as protesters demand ‘no ambassador, no embassy’

Moroccan opponents of normalization with Israel concluded three days of protests Sunday against the kingdom's decision to upgrade relations to full embassies. Demonstrators in Rabat and Marrakech chanted against normalization, while Rabat moved forward with plans to exchange ambassadors and deepen economic ties, following a Sept. 16 announcement by the Moroccan and Israeli foreign ministers and the US ambassador to the UN. The protests, organized by coalitions supporting Palestine, included dozens of events across cities, with no serious disturbances reported.

Moroccan opponents of normalization with Israel wrapped up three days of protests Sunday against the kingdom's decision to upgrade relations to full embassies. Demonstrators in Rabat gathered outside Parliament chanting, 'The people want the fall of normalization,' while protesters in Marrakech shouted, 'No ambassador, no embassy.' No serious disturbances were reported. The upgrade follows a Sept. 16 announcement in New York by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz that the two countries would elevate their liaison offices to embassies and appoint ambassadors. They also agreed to conclude investment-protection and double-taxation agreements by the end of the year. The Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Opposing Normalization announced the protest campaign on Sept. 17. Another coalition, the Moroccan Commission for Supporting the Nation's Causes, said it organized 76 events in 45 cities on Friday. The article notes that the PJD, which headed Morocco's government when relations with Israel were restored in 2020, won 54 seats in the Sept. 23 parliamentary election, up sharply from 13 in 2021. The palace-aligned Authenticity and Modernity Party won 97 of the 395 seats. Turnout fell to about 38% from about 50% five years ago. The article quotes political scientist Yasmine Hasnaoui and expert Einat Levi on the strategic foundations of the relationship, and notes Morocco's simultaneous public commitment to the Palestinian cause, including its defense of UNRWA at the UN and its pledge to deploy a military field hospital to Gaza.