Thousands of Moroccans took to the streets of Tangier last night in a powerful demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinian people, condemning Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, which protesters widely labeled as genocide.

Organized by the Moroccan Initiative for Support and Aid to Palestine, the march wound through Tangier’s main avenues before culminating in a vibrant rally at the city center. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags, carried images of the Dome of the Rock, and held banners demanding an immediate end to Israel’s brutal military campaign and forced displacement policies in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Chanting slogans such as “Gaza is not alone” and “Stop the genocide in Palestine,” protesters called for urgent international action to halt Israel’s relentless attacks, which have killed over 62,000 Palestinians and injured more than 120,000 since October 7, 2023, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The march also highlighted outrage over Israel’s blockade and starvation policies, which have pushed Gaza into famine, leaving over 500,000 people facing catastrophic hunger, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

“This is a cry from the heart of Tangier for our brothers and sisters in Gaza,” said Amina El-Hassan, a local organizer with the Moroccan Initiative. “The world must act to stop this genocide and hold Israel accountable for its crimes against humanity.”

Participants also denounced Morocco’s normalization of ties with Israel, established in 2020, with many chanting: “The people want to overthrow normalization!” They called for the closure of Israel’s liaison office in Rabat, emphasizing that grassroots activism cannot be silenced by government diplomacy.

The Tangier march forms part of a growing wave of international protests, with similar demonstrations recently held in Rabat, Casablanca, and Mohammedia. Activists praised the resilience of Palestinian resistance groups and criticized Western governments, particularly the United States, for providing military support to Israel.

Demonstrators also voiced strong support for South Africa’s ongoing genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, underscoring the need for accountability and justice for Palestinians.

The rally highlighted Morocco’s growing grassroots movement against Israel’s aggression and the government’s diplomatic ties with Tel Aviv, signaling renewed determination to push for Palestinian liberation. (ILKHA)