BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The surge in trade between Morocco and the Zionist entity after the normalization of relations three years ago has hit a roadblock due to the war in Gaza and the Moroccan people’s support for the Palestinian cause. Analysts argue that the ongoing Zionist aggressions have significantly dampened the momentum generated by the agreement between the two nations.
Bilateral cooperation had rapidly expanded, particularly in defense, agriculture, new technologies, and tourism, following the normalization agreement signed in December 2020. The deal took place in Morocco’s favor, involving U.S. and Zionist recognition of its alleged sovereignty over Western Sahara.
However, since October 7, when the Islamic Resistance Movement launched an attack on occupied territories, marking the beginning of the Zionist offensive on Gaza, flights between the Zionist entity and Morocco were suspended. Zionist tourists and investors disappeared from the scene, with several businesses, including 11 out of 14 newly opened after normalization, closing down.
“Day by day, there was no one left; the Zionists who were there fled, they were very scared,” said Michel Cohen, a French-Zionist investor and owner of a kosher restaurant in Marrakech, which was closed.
Simultaneously, pro-Palestinian demonstrations, historically a means of mobilization, regained strength, fueled by the recent events. Calls to sever ties between Morocco and the occupying entity escalated.
In the face of images of Gaza under relentless bombardment, “civil society (in Morocco) expresses its anger, and Rabat had to take this popular demand into account,” stated Mohammed Zakaria Abu Dahab, a professor of international relations at Mohammed V University.
Amidst the intensifying popular protests condemning normalization and collaboration with the Zionist entity and demanding support for Palestinian resistance, the government’s rhetoric evolved. Initially expressing “deep concern” and condemning attacks on “civilians,” Morocco ultimately condemned the Zionist entity’s “blatant aggression against innocent civilians” during an Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on November 11, without explicitly condemning Hamas’ October 7 attack.
Morocco is now in an extremely delicate position, torn between its deep-seated desire to maintain a mutually beneficial relationship and the mounting pressure from the streets. In October, the Zionist communication office in Rabat was evacuated for security reasons, evoking memories of the breakdown in relations in 2000 during the second intifada and escalating popular protests in Moroccan streets.
In response to the collapsing situation, Rabat initially expressed “deep concern” and condemned any attack on “civilians.” Eventually, during an Arab-Islamic summit in Riyadh on November 11, the kingdom condemned the Zionist entity’s “blatant aggression against innocent civilians,” without directly denouncing Hamas’ attack on October 7.
It is challenging, given the popular anger in Morocco, to imagine the kingdom welcoming high-ranking Zionist officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself, whose visit was expected by the end of the year.
According to Djamel Amiar, author of “Morocco, Israel, and the Moroccan Jews,” the military, security, and economic relations established since 2020 are “very strong” and unlikely to be severed, even if support for normalization decreased to 31% last year according to a survey by the Arab Barometer network.
Djamel Amiar added that a rupture would also create “diplomatic upheaval,” particularly with the U.S. administration, noting that Rabat considered support for its position on Western Sahara a “significant counterpart” for normalization.
Approximately 3,000 Moroccan Jews reside in the country, maintaining their status as the primary Jewish community in North Africa. Additionally, around 700,000 Zionists of Moroccan origin maintain strong ties with their country of origin, facilitated by the Moroccan government’s support for these relationships.
