• Morocco’s $1 billion deal for Israeli spy satellites has sparked public backlash due to strong support for Palestine.
• The situation raises concerns about whether Moroccans will oppose or accept their government’s growing ties with Israel.
Morocco’s recent $1 billion deal to acquire advanced spy satellites from Israel has ignited dispute, highlighting the growing disconnect between the Moroccan government and its people. While the government pursues enhanced military capabilities through its partnership with Israel, many Moroccans remain staunchly supportive of the Palestinian cause, particularly in the wake of Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza.
The two Ofek 13 satellites, equipped with synthetic aperture radar technology, are intended to bolster Morocco’s surveillance and intelligence-gathering capacity. The deal marks a significant step in the defence cooperation between Morocco and Israel, which has been deepening since the normalisation of their diplomatic relations in 2020. However, this relationship is being met with increasing resistance from the Moroccan public, who view it as a betrayal of Morocco’s traditional solidarity with Palestine.
Across the Arab world, Morocco has long been seen as a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, a position that aligns with the sentiment of its population. The recent satellite deal, however, suggests a shift in the government’s priorities—a shift that many fears could undermine Morocco’s moral standing in the Arab and Muslim world. The timing of this agreement, coming amid heightened tensions and violence in Gaza, only exacerbates these concerns.
The ramifications of this deal extend beyond Morocco’s borders, sending a troubling message to the people of Gaza and to Palestine supporters globally. It paints a picture of a nation willing to compromise on its principles for strategic gains, a move that could be perceived as a sign of weakness or betrayal by those who have long looked to Morocco as an ally in the struggle for Palestinian rights.
As Morocco moves forward with its plans to deploy these Israeli satellites by 2029, the domestic and international fallout could be significant. Public protests and dissent could escalate, forcing the government to navigate an increasingly fraught political landscape. The Moroccan people are now at a crossroads, with the potential to either rise in opposition to their government’s decisions or to remain silent, thereby allowing this controversial partnership to proceed unchallenged.
The coming months will be critical in determining whether the Moroccan public will stand up as a unified voice against this betrayal or whether they will allow their government’s actions to reshape Morocco’s role in the Palestinian cause. The world, and particularly the people of Gaza, will be watching closely.
