Tens of thousands of Moroccans gathered in Casablanca on Sunday to demand a lasting cease-fire in Gaza and the suspension of diplomatic relations with Israel. Despite the once-growing ties between Morocco and Israel since their normalization in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, the recent Palestinian conflict  has strained their relationship.

The demonstration in Casablanca saw participants waving Palestinian flags and urging Rabat to sever ties with Israel. Socialist MP Nabila Mounib emphasized the need for a permanent cease-fire, advocating for peace and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem.

Hassan Bahadou, representing the anti-normalization alliance of leftist parties and Islamists that organized the protest, condemned what he described as the silence of Arab regimes allied with Israel.

While pro-Palestinian demonstrations had been on the decline in Morocco in recent years, the Gaza war has sparked a resurgence in activism. Moroccan cardiologist Safae Abderazzak participated in the protest to denounce Israeli aggression against Palestinians and fellow doctors in Gaza.

The four-day truce that began on Friday marked a temporary halt to the conflict between Hamas and Israel, triggered by an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7. The conflict resulted in casualties on both sides, with Hamas raids into southern Israel killing at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli officials. Israel, in reprisal, bombarded the densely populated Gaza Strip, resulting in a significant number of casualties.

As part of the truce, Hamas released 39 Israelis and 19 foreign and dual-national hostages on Friday, in exchange for the liberation of 117 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. The situation remains complex, with ongoing concerns about the prospects for lasting peace in the region.

Read Also: Hamas Ceasefire Success: 24 Hostages Freed on Day One in Gaza

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In Gaza on Friday, the initial group of hostages was liberated, marking a day of heightened tensions. Despite relief, concerns about the future lingered, following weeks of unyielding violence in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Hamas released a total of 24 hostages as part of a deal facilitating a temporary cessation of hostilities. The liberated individuals comprised 13 Israelis, 10 Thais, and a Philippine national. This agreement also encompasses the release of Palestinians detained by Israel.

Across Israel, there were jubilant celebrations, while Gaza experienced a day of relative calm after enduring significant casualties. Despite the optimism for a more enduring ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed his commitment to continue Israel’s campaign to dismantle Hamas.

The 13 Israelis, including very young children, who were held hostage by Hamas have safely returned to Israel. Recognition from friends and neighbors from their kibbutz communities marked their arrival. The release occurred on the first day of a four-day ceasefire, bringing relief to families in Israel and the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza who have endured intensive Israeli bombardment.

In addition to the Israeli hostages, 39 Palestinian prisoners, including 24 women and 15 teenagers, were released by Israel. Some of the released Palestinians had not seen their families for many years.

The four-day ceasefire, the first break in seven weeks of conflict in Gaza, offers hope for a more lasting pause in the violence. As part of the agreement, Hamas is set to release at least 50 of the approximately 240 hostages it has held since launching attacks in October. In return, Israel will release at least 150 Palestinian prisoners and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the return of the hostages but emphasized the commitment to securing the release of all hostages as one of the war’s aims.

The Israeli offensive on Gaza has resulted in a significant death toll, with more than 14,000 people, including thousands of children, according to Palestinian officials. The ceasefire, while initially showing signs of fragility, has brought relative calm to much of Gaza.

In a surprising development, the Thai prime minister announced the release of Thai hostages, believed to be farm workers employed in communities around Gaza. The hostages were transferred out of Gaza and handed over to Egyptian authorities at the Rafah border crossing, accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

“The deep pain experienced by family members separated from their loved ones is indescribable. Fabrizio Carboni, the ICRC’s regional director for the Near and Middle East, expressed relief at the reunification of some hostages after prolonged agony. The Israeli military conducted an initial medical assessment on the hostages within Israeli territory. Subsequently, they were flown to medical facilities across Israel for reunification with their families. Families and supporters in Tel Aviv celebrated the return.

The families’ vocal campaign played a significant role in pressuring Prime Minister Netanyahu to agree to a deal with Hamas, an organization he has vowed to ‘crush.’ Ziv Agmon, a legal adviser to Netanyahu’s office, expressed hope for a positive outcome and assured that Israel would follow the agreement.

Hamas’s main political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, affirmed the group’s commitment to the truce and hostage swap, contingent on Israel’s commitment. In the occupied West Bank, families eagerly awaited news of the prisoners to be released. Israeli security forces used tear gas on crowds outside Ofer Prison, where the freed prisoners were expected.

Originally scheduled for Thursday afternoon, the exchange was delayed due to last-minute logistical issues resolved during 24 hours of frantic diplomacy. The agreement includes restrictions on Israeli military flights over Gaza, and Israel has committed not to arrest anyone in Gaza during the truce, according to Hamas. If the initial exchanges go well, there may be further releases on both sides, and some sources suggest the ceasefire could last up to 10 days.”

Aid trucks from Egypt began entering the Gaza Strip approximately 90 minutes after the ceasefire commenced at 5 am local time. However, humanitarian officials noted that the aid provided was only a fraction of what was needed, and concerns were raised about the almost total blockade of Gaza by Israel leading to severe shortages of essentials and “catastrophic” conditions.

Medical facilities in Gaza have been extensively damaged, and doctors are struggling to treat a high number of seriously injured casualties with inadequate supplies. The ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, the US, and Egypt, was reached after lengthy and complex talks, coming more than six weeks after the conflict began.

Swaths of northern Gaza have been destroyed, displacing up to 1 million people. Israel claims to have killed thousands of Hamas fighters, although evidence for this count has not been presented. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) cautioned Gaza residents that the humanitarian pause is temporary, emphasizing the northern Gaza Strip as a dangerous war zone.

Despite warnings, some Palestinians in southern Gaza attempted to return to their homes in the north at the start of the ceasefire, facing obstacles from Israeli troops. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant described the ceasefire as a short respite, anticipating intense fighting to continue after its conclusion. He mentioned the expectation of at least another two months of fighting.

On Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, there was calm, a day after Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, carried out the highest number of attacks in one day since fighting began on October 8. While Hezbollah is not a party to the ceasefire agreement, it was widely expected to halt its attacks.

Read Also: Gaza Truce: Morocco Supports and Calls for Palestinian State

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Morocco, through its Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita, expressed satisfaction on November 23, 2023, following the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza starting Friday between Israel and Hamas. The agreement also involves the release of some Palestinian hostages and prisoners.

In a press briefing attended by Abdoulaye Bathily, the Special Representative for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Bourita stated, “We welcomed this agreement with satisfaction, hoping that the parties achieve a long-lasting and durable truce and ceasefire.”

This positive development aligns with Morocco’s commitment to regional stability and highlights its diplomatic engagement in the pursuit of peace. The statement underscores the Kingdom’s hope for a sustained period of calm and cooperation between the involved parties.

The Foreign Affairs Minister emphasized King Mohammed VI’s repeated appeals, urging conflict parties to commence a de-escalation process in the ongoing Gaza war. The aim is to establish a lasting ceasefire, enabling the distribution of crucial aid to the distressed residents of Gaza. This aligns with Morocco’s commitment to regional stability and humanitarian efforts.

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Read Also: Libya : UN Special Rep Credits Morocco for Electoral Success

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor, Karim Khan, announced that his office received a referral from South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros, and Djibouti. The referral requests an investigation into potential crimes committed in the Palestinian territories during Israel’s response to the October 7 Hamas terror attacks.

Khan explained, ‘In accordance with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, a State Party may refer to the Prosecutor a situation in which one or more crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court appear to have been committed, requesting the Prosecutor to investigate the situation.’

He clarified that his office was already investigating the situation in the Palestinian territories, focusing on possible crimes since June 2014 in Gaza and the West Bank. This ongoing investigation was initiated in March 2021.

“It is ongoing and extends to the escalation of hostilities and violence since the attacks that took place on 7 October 2023,” Khan said. “In accordance with the Rome Statute, my Office has jurisdiction over crimes committed on the territory of a State Party and with respect to the nationals of States Parties.”

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Naam Mayara, the head of Morocco’s House of Councillors, is expected to visit Tel Aviv in September as a result of an official invitation from Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohna.

According to an official Hespress source in the Israeli Knesset, “Amir Ohana received an official confirmation from his counterpart Mayara, regarding the visit to Tel Aviv next September.”

This trip will strengthen parliamentary cooperation between the two nations, which is consistent with the expansion of bilateral ties between Rabat and Tel Aviv on all fronts.

A senior Moroccan official is in Tel Aviv for the second time on business. In February of last year, Mohamed Benawali, Commander of the Royal Moroccan Artillery, paid a visit to Israel.

According to Hespress sources, the visit is also a part of a Middle Eastern tour that will also take in Palestine and other countries.

As part of a diplomatic mission, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon travel to Morocco after receiving a formal invitation from King Mohammed VI.

This is his first official trip, however a few members of Netanyahu’s cabinet have already visited Morocco to talk about cooperation.

More than 2,000 Moroccans visited Israel in the first half of this year, a 66% rise in the number of Moroccan tourists.

Furthermore, $6 million worth of trade was conducted between Morocco and Israel in just June. Trade between the two nations surged dramatically in the first half of the year, hitting $38.5 million, a 96% rise from the same time the year before.

Read also: U.S Senator Ted Cruz Welcomes Israel’s Recognition of Morocco’s Sovereignty over Its Sahara

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An innovation summit was organized by Margalit Startup City and the Jerusalem Venture Partners with the goal of fostering technological and cultural linkages between Israel and Morocco.

The Abraham Accords-inspired event, with the theme “From Jerusalem to Casablanca,” brought together eminent speakers from diverse fields to highlight the transformative power of teamwork and strengthen the partnership.

Technology, culture, and entrepreneurship were all combined in the summit’s presentation, demonstrating how innovation can cut over political divides and promote deep relationships across nations.

Erel Margalit, the founder and chairman of JVP and Margalit Startup City, characterized the event as a resounding cry for regional development and emphasized how innovation acts as a bridge to improve bilateral ties.

The summit included the FemForward MENA program, which was developed in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy, the UAE Israel Business Council, and the Jerusalem Development Authority.

In May 2023, the first FemForward MENA cohort was launched in Casablanca, Morocco, with the goal of promoting trade agreements under the Abraham Accords.

The program also aims to foster lifelong relationships and future female leaders throughout the MENA region.

During the event, Milouda Bouichou, a data scientist at the Digital Development Agency in Morocco, and Wafaa Bouchtita, a sales manager for Microsoft Canada in Morocco, both presented their motivational personal stories. Their remarks inspired other hopeful women to go into the computer industry and offered pointers to help them on the road to success.

The summit celebrated shared cultural heritage and fostered cross-cultural connections between Israel and Morocco, further solidifying the bonds between the two nations.

The event in Jerusalem was a turning point for Israel and Morocco’s relationship and portended a promising future for the two countries’ friendship that would see increased creativity, cooperation, and regional advancement.

Read also: U.S Senator Ted Cruz Welcomes Israel’s Recognition of Morocco’s Sovereignty over Its Sahara

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Washington – American Senator Ted Cruz welcomed, on Tuesday, Israel’s decision to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara.

The Republican Senator noted in a tweet that Israel just recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and that this State decision is paving the road for more collaboration.

As part of the improvement in bilateral ties between the two nations, Ted Cruz, one of the powerful figures in the Republican Party, emphasized the substantial influx of Israeli tourists to the Kingdom.

According to a statement made by the Royal Office, HM King Mohammed VI has received a letter from Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, in which he brought to the Sovereign’s Very High Attention Israel’s decision to “recognize the sovereignty of Morocco over the territory of Western Sahara.”

Regarding this, the Israeli Prime Minister emphasized that his nation’s viewpoint would be “reflected in all relevant acts and documents of the Israeli Government.”

He also emphasized that all nations with which Israel has diplomatic ties would be informed of the decision, along with the United Nations, regional organizations, and international bodies.

The Israeli Prime Minister noted in his letter to the Sovereign that, in order to carry out this state decision, his nation is actively considering “the opening of a consulate in the city of Dakhla.”

Read also: Morocco’s Strong Commitment to the Palestinian Cause is Highlighted by the International Commission for Solidarity with Palestinian People

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Rabat – Morocco, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, reiterates its position in favor of peace as the strategic choice to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, said Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, on Monday.

At a virtual ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on the incidents of burning copies of the Holy Quran in Sweden, Bourita said that the Kingdom supports the peace process aimed at achieving a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution that will allow the comradely Palestinian people to regain their legitimate rights and establish their independent, viable, and sovereign state with East Al-Quds as its capital.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs emphasized that the Kingdom reaffirms its rejection of all reprehensible provocative acts and unilateral measures and practices targeting the occupied Palestinian territories, Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and Al-Aqsa Mosque in a speech read on his behalf by Fouad Akhrif, Director of Orient, Gulf, and Arab and Islamic Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates.

HM the King, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, assured Bourita that the Palestinian issue and Al-Quds Al-Sharif have been and will continue to be the cause of all Moroccans, the King, the Government, and the people, and a major focus of Morocco’s political, diplomatic, and humanitarian action on the ground.

Read also: Under Enlightened Leadership of HM the King, Morocco Has Launched Several Initiatives Aimed at Enshrining Fundamentals of Coexistence, Dialogue between Civilizations – FM

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A deal that was struck on Friday in Salé, close to Rabat, between the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) and the Israeli Arkia Airline Company would see direct flights between Tel-Aviv and Essaouira beginning in September.

There will be 11,000 seats available on Arkia Airlines’ new direct flight.

In his remarks on the agreement, ONMT Chief Adel El Fakir emphasized the significance of the new Israeli direct flights for Moroccan incoming tourism, noting that the new route was opened to satisfy rising Israeli market demand.

Gad Tepper, the director of Arkia, expressed his optimism on the relevance and financial benefits of the new airline service that will allow thousands of Israelis to visit Essaouira to take advantage of its well-known historical sites.

Nearly 75,000 Israeli visitors traveled to Morocco in 2022, an increase of 87% from 2019. About 39,000 Israeli tourists traveled to the North African Kingdom at the end of June 2023, a 35% rise from the same time in 2022.

Israeli visitors increased their arrivals by 146% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019, according to the Moroccan Tourism Observatory.

Visits and contacts between Moroccan and Israeli officials increased following the normalization of relations between Rabat and Tel Aviv in 2020 as a result of the Abraham Accords, which were mediated by the United States. This led to the signing of a number of cooperation agreements in the fields of tourism, trade, industry, defense, cybersecurity, technology, scientific research, culture, agriculture, water, healthcare, and security.

Read also: Lior Haiat to Hespress: Israel is determined to improve relations with Morocco

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Orit Moshé, Senior Advisor to the Speaker of the Knesset, emphasized that Israel’s acceptance of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara was the result of King Mohammed VI’s pioneering role in repairing and promoting the concrete and intangible cultural heritage of the Hebrew tributaries.

Moshé praised the vibrant ties between Morocco and Israel in a videoconference address delivered on the fringes of a symposium titled “Prospects for Moroccan-Israeli bilateral relations,” organized at the initiative of the Association for Moroccan-Israeli Culture and Industry (ACIMI). He also emphasized the close ties Moroccan Jews have to their ancestral home.

She noted that the High Royal Guidelines, which call for the promotion of the Hebrew component as an integral part of the nation, find their reference in the recognition of the Moroccan character of the Sahara. She also noted that this dynamism is strengthened by good economic relations between the businessmen of the two countries.

Read Also: Following Israel’s recognition, the US reiterates its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara

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