Suppression of Solidarity with Palestine: Moroccan Police Confiscate Symbols at Stadiums
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BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a disconcerting display of repression, Moroccan security agents confiscated Palestinian flags and black keffiyehs from supporters of Tunisia’s Esperance during their arrival at the “Complexe Mohammed V” stadium in Casablanca. This act has raised questions regarding freedom of expression and the implications of the normalization of relations between Morocco and the Zionist entity.
Repression of Solidarity
When a group of Esperance Tunisian supporters arrived at the stadium to attend a match, they were met with a shocking scene. Moroccan security agents searched their bags and confiscated all Palestinian flags and black keffiyehs. This suppression of solidarity with Palestine has sparked outrage on social media, where many have expressed their indignation over this humiliating action.
Esperance Tunisian supporters have displayed their solidarity with Palestine on several occasions by holding banners and images of Palestinian figures, including Abu Ubaida, the military spokesperson for the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and Tunisian engineer Mohamed Zawari, who was assassinated by the Mossad in 2016. This repression at the “Mohammed V” stadium is another example of attempts to restrict the freedom of expression of supporters.
Normalization and Implications
This repression raises questions about the implications of the normalization of relations between Morocco and the Zionist entity. In December 2020, Morocco announced the resumption of its diplomatic relations with the entity, becoming the fourth Arab country to normalize relations with the the Zionist entity. This normalization was preceded by similar agreements reached by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan. In return, the United States recognized the alleged “Moroccan sovereignty” over the Western Sahara.
The suppression of symbols of solidarity with Palestine in Morocco raises concerns about hthe freedom of expression and citizens’ ability to express their support for the Palestinian cause. The ongoing Zionist war on Gaza has generated strong international solidarity with the Palestinians, not only within the Arab world but also on a global scale.
International Support
Numerous Arab and European teams have also expressed their unwavering support for the Palestinian people by displaying Palestinian flags, banners, and chanting slogans in their stadiums. The repression of symbols of solidarity with Palestine in Morocco stands in contrast to this wave of international support for the Palestinians.
