Thousands rally in Rabat against Israeli death penalty law

Monday 20 April 2026 - 10:19

By: Dakir Madiha

Thousands rally in Rabat against Israeli death penalty law

Several thousand demonstrators marched through central Rabat on Sunday to protest a newly adopted Israeli law that sets capital punishment as the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks in the occupied West Bank. The protest also renewed criticism of Morocco’s normalization of relations with Israel, reflecting sustained public discontent since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.

The crowd, estimated at around 5,000 people, moved along Avenue Mohammed V, carrying Palestinian and Moroccan flags and chanting slogans rejecting both the death penalty and Israeli occupation. The demonstration was organized by the National Action Group for Palestine, a coalition that includes members of the Justice and Development Party and left-wing activists. The march coincided with Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, an annual event observed on April 17, adding symbolic weight to the gathering.

The law at the center of the protests was passed by the Israeli parliament on March 30 with a vote of 62 to 48. It establishes the death penalty as the standard sentence in military courts for Palestinians found guilty of intentional lethal attacks classified as terrorism. Judges may impose life imprisonment only under unspecified “special circumstances,” and executions must be carried out within 90 days, with no right of appeal. The legislation was promoted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and has triggered strong reactions from human rights groups.

Critics argue that the law introduces a dual legal system based on nationality. Israeli settlers in the West Bank are excluded from military courts and instead fall under civilian jurisdiction, where the application of capital punishment is more restricted. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch have described the measure as reinforcing a discriminatory framework, while the Association for Civil Rights in Israel has filed a legal challenge before the country’s highest court.

Protesters in Rabat also expressed solidarity with Palestinian detainees who could be affected by the law. Organizers stated that the measure increases the risk faced by prisoners already held under military jurisdiction. The demonstration forms part of a broader pattern of pro-Palestinian mobilization in Morocco, which has intensified over the past two years.

Public opposition to Morocco’s diplomatic normalization with Israel remains a central theme in these protests. The 2020 agreement, concluded under the Abraham Accords, established formal ties between the two countries in exchange for United States recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Sahara. Surveys indicate that opposition to normalization has grown between 2022 and 2024, reflecting a widening gap between official policy and public sentiment.

Security measures were heightened ahead of the march. Authorities monitored gathering points, including Bab el Had square, where demonstrators assembled before heading toward the parliament. Despite tensions surrounding the issue, the protest unfolded without major reported incidents, underscoring the continued role of street mobilization in shaping public debate in Morocco.