Moroccan Cities Unite for Prisoners and Al-Aqsa Mosque
On Saturday, a significant wave of protests swept through the Moroccan cities of Agadir and Tangier, as hundreds of citizens gathered to express their unwavering support for Palestinian prisoners and to stand in solidarity with the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The demonstrations were organized by the Moroccan Initiative for Support and Solidarity, a prominent non-governmental organization dedicated to advocating for Palestinian rights. Protesters displayed banners advocating for the defense of Palestinian prisoners, alongside images of Moroccan football star Hakim Ziyech. One of the slogans that resonated throughout the crowds was, "We are not afraid of Zionism," reflecting a collective defiance against perceived oppression.
The protests were ignited by recent comments made by Ziyech, who publicly dismissed threats from Israeli far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Ziyech's criticism came in response to Ben Gvir's endorsement of a controversial law aimed at executing Palestinian prisoners. The footballer shared an image of Ben Gvir celebrating the Israeli Knesset's passing of the execution law, sarcastically questioning whether it would be justified as self-defense. Ben Gvir retaliated, labeling Ziyech as an anti-Semitic figure and warned that Israel would no longer exercise restraint against its adversaries.
Similar sentiments echoed in Tangier, where demonstrators shouted slogans denouncing the execution law, including, "Oh Zionist, you coward, the prisoner shall not be humiliated," and "The people want the liberation of the prisoner." On March 30, the Knesset passed this contentious law with a vote tally of 62 in favor, 48 against, and one abstention, drawing celebration from right-wing factions in Israel. Legal experts, such as Hassan Jabareen, director of the Adalah Center, have indicated that the law—if enforced—will not have retroactive implications for Palestinian prisoners currently in detention, but it specifically targets suspects accused of intentionally killing Israelis and could impact approximately 117 individuals serving life sentences.
Currently, over 9,600 Palestinians are incarcerated in Israeli prisons, a group that includes 350 children and 73 women. Reports from various Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations highlight the dire conditions these prisoners face, including physical abuse, starvation, and inadequate medical care, contributing to numerous fatalities.
As reported by yaffaps.com.
