The Shifting Sands of Moroccan-Israeli Relations: A Year After October 7

Monday 07 October 2024 - 11:40

As the anniversary of October 7 approaches, the landscape of Moroccan-Israeli relations is marked by deepening public dissent against normalization. Over the past year, the ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 42,000 Palestinian lives, a grim statistic that resonates far beyond mere numbers. These individuals—mothers, fathers, children—represent dreams and futures extinguished amid relentless bombardment that has left Gaza in ruins.

The Israeli military's response to the surprise attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, has led to widespread devastation in Gaza, displacing approximately 1.9 million people. Thousands of kilometers away, Morocco grapples with the repercussions of its diplomatic ties with Israel, established under the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020. This normalization was part of a broader realignment in Arab-Israeli relations but has ignited significant public backlash against the government’s stance.

Morocco’s normalization was framed as a renewal of historical ties rather than a new relationship, according to officials. However, public sentiment starkly contrasts this narrative; polls indicate that 88% of Moroccans opposed normalization at its inception. The recent events in Gaza have only intensified this opposition, leading to massive protests across the country where demonstrators demand an end to ties with Israel.

Recent surveys reveal a dramatic decline in support for normalization among Moroccans—from 31% in 2022 to just 13% in 2024—largely attributed to the ongoing violence in Gaza and its perception within the Arab world. This growing divide between official policy and popular sentiment poses a significant challenge for Morocco's stability.

Historical ties to its Jewish community and potential economic benefits from relations with Israel complicate Morocco's position. Critics argue that normalization undermines Morocco's traditional support for Palestine and threatens national security by allowing Israeli influence to seep into various sectors. The situation is further complicated by regional dynamics, especially tensions with Algeria, which views Morocco's ties with Israel as a threat.

Activists like Aziz Hanaoui from the Moroccan Observatory Against Normalization articulate concerns about what they see as pervasive Israeli infiltration into Moroccan society across culture, education, and security. Hanaoui emphasizes that normalization has evolved into a comprehensive "Zionization" of Moroccan policy, moving beyond mere diplomatic relations to affect national identity.

The government's response to the war on Gaza has been criticized as weak and negligent. Incidents such as sending aid through Israeli channels have drawn ire from activists who argue that such actions contradict Morocco's historical support for Palestinians. Hanaoui highlights the government's dismissal of petitions calling for an end to normalization as further evidence of disconnect between officials and public sentiment.

Mohammed Ghafri from the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine echoes these sentiments, stressing that normalization contradicts Morocco's historical support for oppressed peoples. He warns that it threatens national security by fostering divisions within Moroccan society and undermining solidarity with Palestinians.

Despite these challenges, Ghafri remains optimistic about civil society's resistance to normalization. The Front has organized thousands of events in solidarity with Palestinians since October 7, demonstrating a robust grassroots movement against government policies. Plans for significant protests on October 6 and 7 signal continued public opposition to normalization.

As Morocco navigates this complex terrain between diplomatic commitments and popular dissent, key elements of its relationship with Israel remain intact. However, high-profile engagements have waned amid rising public outcry. The question remains: will this popular rejection translate into meaningful policy changes?

With tensions mounting and anti-normalization protests persisting, Morocco faces critical decisions ahead. As Hanaoui succinctly states, “Normalization has fallen popularly and must fall officially.” The future of Moroccan-Israeli relations hangs in the balance as public sentiment increasingly calls for a reevaluation of these ties.