Morocco: Pro-Palestinian groups plan to protest nationwide March 30

Event

Pro-Palestinian groups and organizations, including the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and against Normalization, have announced plans for nationwide protests, March 30. The actions are to commemorate Palestinian Land Day, marking the 1976 killing of six Arab citizens demonstrating against land appropriation by Israel. Activists are demanding that the Moroccan authorities cease normalizing ties with Israel. Thousands of people could participate in the protests. While organizers have not announced specific march routes or gathering sites, similar events previously have occurred throughout the country's major thoroughfares, public squares, city centers, and outside government buildings.

Authorities will likely increase security at protest sites. Large numbers of protesters will likely cause localized transport disruptions, particularly in major cities like Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakesh. Clashes between protesters and security forces are possible if demonstrators ignore police orders to disperse or are overly disruptive.

Context

Morocco became the fourth Arab state in 2020 to agree to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, following the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan. Morocco also agreed to grant overflights of its airspace and direct commercial flights to and from Israel for all Israeli citizens. While Morocco and Israel have historically maintained unofficial diplomatic ties, Rabat's recognition of the state of Israel transpired after Trump's recognition of Morocco's claim of sovereignty over Western Sahara in December. Israel and Morocco reopened diplomatic missions in each other's capitals in January and will likely deepen their economic and trade ties in the coming weeks and months.

Advice

Avoid all protests due to the potential for clashes. Heed the advice of security personnel. Allow additional time if traveling through affected areas March 30.