Moroccan Protests Surge as Rabat Deepens Diplomatic Ties with Israel

Pro-Palestine demonstrations have swept across multiple Moroccan cities, with protesters calling for an immediate halt to diplomatic normalisation with Israel as Rabat moves to strengthen ties with Tel Aviv. The wave of protests culminated on September 27 following three days of nationwide action organized by the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Against Normalisation.

These rallies followed a September 16 announcement confirming that Morocco and Israel would elevate their diplomatic missions to full embassies and appoint official ambassadors. Just prior, on September 25, the Moroccan Committee for Supporting the Nation’s Causes stated it had coordinated 76 events across 45 cities under the rallying cry "Friday for Al-Aqsa and against normalisation." Local media documented demonstrations in cities such as Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Tangier, Fez, Agadir, Oujda, Tetouan, Kenitra, and Sale. While the committee reported 76 events, there was no independent national headcount of the participants.

In the capital of Rabat, demonstrators gathered outside Parliament, whereas protesters in Marrakesh marched through primary thoroughfares, as reported by Lakome. At the same time, regional authorities imposed restrictions and carried out arrests in several areas. In Tangier, local officials banned a scheduled September 27 demonstration, and Achkayen reported that security forces broke up gatherings and detained over 12 people. Lakome also noted that authorities blocked planned protests in M’diq and restricted a gathering in Agadir.

The Moroccan Committee for Supporting the Nation’s Causes formally condemned these bans and arrests, highlighting a persistent clash between public dissent and state policy.

Morocco officially restored diplomatic ties with Israel in December 2020 through the US-brokered Abraham Accords, a framework linked to Washington's formal recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. The recent diplomatic push advanced on September 16 when Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar met in New York during a trilateral summit hosted by US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz. Beyond upgrading diplomatic missions, the nations agreed to pursue investment protection agreements, avoid double taxation, expand direct flights, and arrange high-level reciprocal visits.

While the state maintains that its diplomatic relations with Israel coexist with support for Palestinian statehood, critics argue the two stances are irreconcilable, especially during the ongoing war on Gaza. Kathya K Berrada, senior programmes manager at the Arab Center for Research, pointed out that normalisation is solidifying amid unprecedented public anger over Palestinian suffering. Activist Mouna Rahiani highlighted a widening gap between official diplomacy and public sentiment, pointing to the Arab Opinion Index which indicated that 89 percent of surveyed Moroccans opposed recognizing Israel, compared to six percent in favor.

The timing of these geopolitical developments also coincides with considerations regarding Western Sahara, as the United Nations Security Council prepares to review the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in October. For Rabat, relations with Israel are part of a broader foreign-policy strategy tied to Washington and international backing for its territorial claims, a calculation that sociologist Ahmed noted should encompass comprehensive rather than selective engagement.

Domestically, the protests followed parliamentary elections held on September 23, which saw the Authenticity and Modernity Party win 97 seats, the National Rally of Independents secure 66, the Istiqlal Party take 65, and the Party of Justice and Development (PJD) win 54 seats amid a voter turnout of 38.08 percent. The PJD, whose former prime minister Saadeddine el-Othmani signed the 2020 joint declaration, has maintained its opposition to normalisation and decided to remain in parliamentary opposition without joining the new government.

Ultimately, while opposition groups have demonstrated a strong capacity for widespread mobilization, the exact impact of these protests on government foreign policy remains uncertain as Rabat continues to deepen its institutional ties with Israel.