Public Outcry Against Israeli Minister's Visit to Morocco
The recent visit of Miri Regev, Israel's Minister of Transportation, to Morocco has sparked significant backlash among Moroccan activists who stand in solidarity with Palestine. The gathering, which took place on Friday evening, saw numerous demonstrators denouncing the presence of a representative from the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Moroccan soil. This protest coincides with the resumption of direct flights by the Israeli airline Arkia between Tel Aviv and Marrakech, which had been suspended for nearly three years. Regev arrived on the inaugural flight accompanied by a delegation linked to the violence against Palestinian women and children.
This visit is emblematic of the ongoing normalization between Rabat and Israel, despite widespread outrage over the continuous aggression faced by Palestinians, particularly regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In the streets of Morocco, this normalization faces staunch opposition from segments of the population that refuse to accept the establishment of ordinary relations with Israel.
The choice of Miri Regev for this visit adds further controversy. As a member of Netanyahu's government, she has been frequently criticized for her remarks and stance towards Palestinians. Her name is also connected to previous actions against activists, including the interception of members from the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which included several Moroccans last spring.
The protests in Marrakech shed light on a significant divide that has become increasingly difficult to ignore. While Moroccan authorities are enhancing their ties with Israel, a substantial portion of Moroccan society continues to reject this normalization and uphold the Palestinian cause. The resumption of direct flights is not merely a commercial or tourist initiative; it represents a deepening of cooperation that pro-Palestinian activists in Morocco denounce as an attempt to normalize relations with a government accused of severe human rights violations against Palestinians.
Regev's presence in Marrakech serves as a stark reminder of a reality that official normalization cannot erase: Palestine remains a red line for many in Moroccan society. Furthermore, the selection of Marrakech for this visit is not incidental. The city is known for its cheap sex tourism and pedophilia, practices that some have claimed occur nearly openly due to corruption among local law enforcement and judicial authorities.
As reported by lapatrienews.dz.
