Morocco: Arab leaders praise Palestine aid despite Israel ties
Arab leaders have expressed their gratitude to Moroccan King Mohammed VI’s over efforts to support the Palestinian cause, despite Morocco’s silence on the genocide in Gaza.
According to a government press release on January 15th, Arab ministers at the Conference of Ministers Responsible for Cultural Affairs in the Arab World, held in Rabat, welcomed the King’s work to “protect and strengthen the cultural identity and civilizational role of the Holy City [Jerusalem].”
The staunchly pro-Rabat news site, Moroccan World News, reported Morocco’s contribution to the agency to amount to $7 million in 2024, with the Moroccan people having contributed around $700,000.
Though perhaps a pleasantry from greased palms, promoted by the Moroccan government to appease their staunchly pro-Palestinian subjects, it is still odd to hear a country that normalized relations with Israel in 2020, be thanked for its Palestinian activism.
The normalisation deal preceded US and Israel recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, creating a snowball effect with Spain and France also jumping aboard.
Only a few months ago, Rabat reaffirmed relations with Israel, arguing that relations with Tel Aviv does not equate to endorsement, according to the New Arab.
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said: “Morocco has strongly condemned, at the highest levels, Israeli attacks on civilians, hospitals, and schools, deeming them unacceptable.”
“This approach should not be seen as abandoning the Palestinian cause. Morocco’s position on Palestine remains a priority.”
For many, this logic seems superficial if not infantile, especially given the immense horrors the Israeli military have committed in Gaza.
Moroccan Observatory Against Normalisation called the remarks “delusional and false,” alleging that Rabat has “done nothing to prove support for Palestinians since the Gaza war began.”
The widespread support for the Palestinian cause in Morocco in undeniable, with thousands taking to Tangier’s streets on January 15th following the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire, according to Yahoo News.
Rabat may breathe a sigh of relief but the nascent deal is fragile, with many challenges ahead.
Some may say Morocco gave its soul away in return for international recognition Western Sahara.
Maroc.ma, Moroccan World News, New Arab, Yahoo News
