- Moroccan jailed for 5 years for Facebook criticism of king regarding the normalisation of ties with Israel.
- The Palestinian cause continues to concern billions of Muslims globally; it is profoundly ingrained in their spirituality and religion to do so.
A Moroccan man has been jailed for five years over his Facebook criticism of the king normalising ties with Israel, his attorney said. Said Boukioud, aged 48, was imprisoned on Monday 2nd August due to his posts condemning the normalisation “in a manner that could be construed as a critique of the king,” as stated by lawyer El Hassan Essouni. An appeal has since been filed on Boukioud’s behalf.
The Moroccan constitution designates foreign affairs as the monarch King Mohammed VI’s prerogative. In December 2020, Morocco and Israel established normalised ties as part of the US-supported “Abraham Accords”. The verdict from the Casablanca court has been described as “severe and difficult to understand” by the attorney, who also clarified that despite Boukioud’s rejection of Israel ties, there was no intention to disrespect the king.
The contested Facebook posts, originating from late 2020 while Boukioud was in Qatar, were subsequently deleted along with his account upon learning about the Moroccan prosecution.
Boukioud’s conviction was based on article 267-5 of the penal code, which stipulates imprisonment of six months to two years for those undermining the monarchy. However, this sentence can be increased to five years if the offense occurs publicly, including through electronic means.
Critics argue that this law curtails freedom of expression and lacks specific criteria for determining an “attack” on the monarchy. Since the normalisation, Morocco and Israel have deepened cooperation in fields such as security, trade, and tourism.
It is important to note that an overwhelming majority of Moroccans do not endorse diplomatic relations with Israel and hold pro-Palestinian sentiments, much like the rest of the Islamic world. This was evident throughout the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, as well as during a Moroccan League match in April 2023:
In recent years, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, Bahrain, Morocco, Turkey, and Jordan have all signed normalisation agreements with Israel, establishing embassies and trading agreements to strengthen diplomatic ties.
However, these governments do not reflect the sentiments of the majority of citizens on the ground. The general populace in these Muslim-majority nations vehemently opposes Israel due to its occupation of Palestinian land for over 50 years.
During a speech commemorating his ascension to the throne in 1999, the king reaffirmed “Morocco’s unwavering stance in support of the just Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”. Perhaps the King has overlooked his own declarations. While those in positions of authority may be downplaying the Palestinian cause, their populations unquestionably haven’t. Palestine isn’t solely a historical and political concern for billions of Muslims globally; it is profoundly ingrained in their spirituality and religion.
