• An Israeli cargo ship docking at the port of Tangier, Morocco, recently sparked significant local protests.
• Demonstrators gathered to express their opposition to the arrival of the ship, largely in response to the ongoing massacre in Gaza.
The protests at Tangier are part of a broader pattern of international demonstrations against Israeli shipping. Similar blockades have occurred in places like Melbourne, Australia, where pro-Palestinian activists successfully prevented an Israeli-owned ship from being unloaded, leading to economic disruptions.
The docking of an Israeli warship at the Moroccan port of Tangier has sparked significant controversy and protests. This move, seen by many as a direct consequence of the normalisation of relations between Morocco and Israel in 2020, has ignited deep seated anger and resentment among those who view it as a betrayal of Palestinian solidarity. Protesters have taken to the streets of Tangier and other Moroccan cities, condemning the Israeli government and demanding the expulsion of the warship. They condemned the move, arguing it showed complicity with Israeli actions against Palestinians and called for an investigation into the matter.
This docking occurred after Spain refused entry to the same ship, INS Komemiyut, which was en route from the United States to Israel. These protests are motivated by solidarity with Gaza and aim to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict.
Spanish authorities had previously denied docking permission to the ship due to its pro Palestine stance, further embedded by its decision to recognise Palestine. In addition to this, the cargo of explosives aligns with their policy of not allowing weapons destined for Israel to pass through their ports. Morocco’s decision to allow the docking, despite this, led to protests from various Moroccan organisations and activists.
The presence of an Israeli vessel in Moroccan waters constitutes an affront to the Palestinian cause and undermines Morocco’s historical commitment to the Arab world. While the Moroccan government has defended the decision as a routine diplomatic gesture, emphasising the strategic benefits of fostering closer military ties with Israel, the protests underscore the deep divisions within Moroccan society regarding the country’s relationship Israel.
This is not the first time the Moroccan government has failed to reflect the opinions of the Moroccan population. In January, the Moroccan government declined to receive a petition that had been endorsed by over 10,000 signatures. This petition was urging the government to reverse the normalisation of diplomatic relations with Israel. The normalisation agreement between Morocco and Israel, established in December 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords brokered by the United States, has been deeply unpopular and faced opposition from various segments of Moroccan society. Despite this, the Moroccan government has continued to continue with the agreement, even in light of the genocide in Gaza, citing potential economic and diplomatic benefits.
The petition, submitted by the Moroccan Association for the Support of Palestinian Resistance, highlighted concerns about the potential negative implications of the normalisation process on Morocco’s long standing position of supporting the Palestinian cause. It garnered significant public support, reflecting the deep rooted sentiments of solidarity with the Palestinian people among Moroccan citizens.
However, the government’s refusal to receive it drew criticism from opposition parties and civil society organisations, who argued that it stifled public discourse on a matter of national importance. The government’s stance was seen by some as an attempt to silence dissent and suppress support for the Palestinian struggle. The incident highlighted the controversy surrounding the normalisation process, and the ongoing debate about the role of civil society in shaping foreign policy in Morocco.
