Outrage Over Israeli Minister's Visit
The National Working Group for Palestine has expressed strong disapproval regarding the recent visit of Israeli Minister of Culture and Sport, Miri Regev, to Morocco. The group described her visit as a "provocation to the feelings of Moroccans," emphasizing their discontent with what they termed "security restrictions" imposed on demonstrators participating in peaceful protests against the visit.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group highlighted that Regev's visit, as a member of the Israeli government, occurs amidst the ongoing Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has led to significant casualties, widespread displacement, and destruction. They underscored that the protests held in various Moroccan cities, including Tangier, Tetouan, Marrakech, and Rabat, reflect the Moroccan public's stance against normalization with Israel and their solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Call for Respecting Protest Rights
The group condemned the security measures that accompanied several of these protests, including the detention of some participants before their eventual release. They affirmed their solidarity with those arrested and called for the respect of the right to peaceful assembly and expression. The statement reiterated that the reception of Israeli officials in Morocco, particularly during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, constitutes a significant affront to the sentiments of broad segments of Moroccan society, referencing the historical connection that Moroccans have with the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem.
Furthermore, the National Working Group for Palestine reiterated its rejection of all forms of political, economic, cultural, and security normalization with Israel, including the resumption of flights. They called for an end to the normalization process and a return to what they describe as Morocco's historical position supporting the rights of the Palestinian people.
The group urged Moroccan authorities to refrain from imposing restrictions on grassroots initiatives advocating for Palestine and to uphold the right to protest and express dissent peacefully. They posited that the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict poses a threat to regional and international security and stability, reasserting their opposition to normalization while reaffirming their support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
In conclusion, the group emphasized that "normalization is doomed to fail" and that "occupation will come to an end," reiterating their commitment to the liberation of Palestine.
As reported by lakome2.com.
