Morocco: Protests Erupt in Multiple Cities Against Israeli Strikes on Gaza
On March 18, 2025, Moroccans protested in major cities against Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, denouncing the violence which resulted in numerous casualties. Protesters expressed solidarity with Palestinians, highlighting a stark contrast between public sentiment and official Moroccan diplomacy, which supports Palestine while maintaining relations with Israel amidst escalating humanitarian crises in Gaza.
hassan benyoub 
Rabat, March 19, 2025, 8:00 AM PDT – Hundreds of Moroccans took to the streets Tuesday evening in cities including Casablanca, Rabat,Fez and Tangier to denounce the recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, which have resulted in hundreds of deaths. The protests, captured in videos shared on X, reflect widespread outrage over what demonstrators called a “genocide” or “holocaust” in Gaza, amid escalating violence in the region.
Details of the Protests
Brandishing Palestinian flags and banners demanding an end to the violence, protesters chanted slogans against normalization with Israel and expressed solidarity with Palestinians. Posts on X, such as @MarocSolidarite’s at 7:30 PM local time, showed large crowds in Casablanca’s Mohammed V Square, Rabat’s Place du Trône, and Tangier’s Grand Socco, with chants like “Stop the genocide in Gaza” and “Palestine will prevail.” Videos on X, including those from @MoroccoNewsLive, depicted peaceful but passionate demonstrations, with participants of all ages urging global action.
The Moroccan government, which normalized ties with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords, has not officially commented on the protests but maintains a delicate balance, supporting Palestinian statehood while preserving diplomatic relations, per Al Jazeera’s March 2025 report. Posts on X, like @PalestineSupport’s, suggest the demonstrations reflect public sentiment against Israel’s actions, despite Rabat’s official stance.
Context of Israeli Strikes on Gaza
Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, marking some of the deadliest attacks since the war began on October 7, 2023. The Israeli government claims the escalation is “essential” to secure the release of hostages still held by Hamas, following the breakdown of a ceasefire that had paused major fighting since January 2025, per The Times of Israel. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, reported Wednesday that the strikes killed 970 people over 48 hours, raising the conflict’s toll to over 41,000 Palestinian deaths since 2023, as noted on X by @GazaHealthMin.
Israel’s military, via @IDF on X, stated the strikes targeted Hamas military sites, accusing the group of obstructing mediation efforts led by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. Hamas, in a statement shared on Telegram and reposted on X by @HamasInfo, condemned the strikes as a “betrayal” of the truce, alleging civilian targeting in the blockaded enclave.
Regional and International Reaction
The airstrikes have drawn global condemnation, with Egypt warning of “severe regional consequences,” Turkey labeling them a “new phase in genocide policies,” and Russia and the UN urging de-escalation, per Anadolu Agency and UN News. Morocco’s protests align with similar demonstrations across the Arab world, including Algeria and Jordan, as reported by Middle East Monitor on March 18, 2025. Posts on X, such as @ArabVoice’s, highlight a unified Arab stance against Israel’s actions.
Despite Morocco’s normalization with Israel, public sentiment remains strongly pro-Palestinian, fueled by historical ties and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, detailed in a 2024 Carnegie Endowment report on Moroccan foreign policy. The protests, peaceful but vocal, underscore a growing disconnect between official diplomacy and public opinion, as noted by @MoroccoPolitics on X.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The renewed violence has worsened Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, with the enclave under a years-long blockade facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, per UNICEF’s March 2025 update on X. The Gaza Health Ministry reported most recent casualties as women and children, exacerbating calls for a ceasefire and aid access, as shared by @UNRWA.
As of 8:00 AM PDT, no immediate ceasefire talks have resumed, with Israel vowing to continue operations until hostages are freed, while Hamas demands an end to the blockade and strikes. The protests in Morocco, echoing global outrage, signal mounting pressure on both sides to de-escalate.
