Moroccans Protest Israeli Embassy Opening Amid Diplomatic Upgrade

Dozens of protests erupted across Morocco in recent days against the decision to upgrade diplomatic relations with Israel to the ambassadorial level. Demonstrations took place in numerous cities, including Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier, with participants protesting both the enhanced ties with Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza. In Tangier, security forces dispersed a protest that had been prohibited and arrested several participants, with some reports suggesting those detained included figures known for opposing normalization with Israel. Similar actions occurred in Rabat, where protesters gathered outside the parliament building, and in Marrakech, where a march featured Palestinian flags and anti-ambassador exchange slogans.

The protests, organized under slogans like "Al-Aqsa Friday and Rejection of Normalization," continued throughout the weekend and into Sunday in several cities. While hundreds reportedly participated in some evening demonstrations, Moroccan authorities have not provided an official number of arrests. The decision to elevate diplomatic missions to embassies and exchange ambassadors was discussed during a meeting in New York involving Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Pompeo. This move deepens the relationship, which was renewed in December 2020 after a two-decade hiatus, but highlights significant opposition within parts of Moroccan society and among anti-normalization organizations.

The Israeli embassy is expected to be established at the site of the former Israeli liaison office in Rabat. The upgrade in relations, which had seen a slowdown in public diplomatic engagement following the October 7th attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza, signifies a new phase in bilateral ties.