It remains unlikely that Morocco will cut ties with Israel anytime soon despite mounting pro-Palestinian sentiment and calls from Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal to sever the relationship and to participate in a mass rally organized by the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD), wrote American think thank Atlantic Council on Tuesday.
The article–penned by deputy director for communications at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Sarah Zaaimi–said that Morocco has no intention of revoking its commitments with the United States and Israel, and added that the Kingdom has a greater margin to maneuver over its foreign policy compared to countries with a history of conflict with Israel, and that the Kingdom has taken a pragmatic approach to balancing its support for Palestinians with its national security and economic development agenda.
Zaaimi stated that Morocco-Israel ties will not be cut due to Rabat’s veto–along with the vetoes of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, Mauritania, Djibouti, Jordan, and Egypt–on November 11 at the Arab League Summit in Riyadh, which ultimately blocked the proposal to break off diplomatic relations with that nation.
The author also stated that the Moroccan government permitted and actually supported pro-Palestine demonstrations with logistical and security arrangements for demonstrators, viewing the marches as an expression of civil rights and a call for de-escalation, access to humanitarian aid, and the protection of civilians in line with international law.
“Rabat often reiterated the importance of involving Palestinians in the Abraham Accords process while it gradually expanded the prospects of its cooperation with Israel,” she said.
She also elaborated that many frustrated Moroccan citizens have resorted to boycotting various multinational conglomerate brands over the humanitarian toll which Israeli military operations have effectuated.
Concerning the latest developments in Sahara, she said that the polisario took advantage of the current international momentum and shifted its operations from the Berm sand wall to Moroccan-controlled territories, specifically in light of the Es-Samara explosions. She also echoed Die Welt reports claiming that Iran may be planning an attack on the Israeli liaison office in Rabat by utilizing the Polisario Front as a proxy.