Solidarity Events in Morocco and the UK for Palestinian Prisoners
On April 17, 2026, numerous cities in Morocco and the United Kingdom witnessed widespread popular events to commemorate Palestinian Prisoners' Day, with a growing chorus of demands urging an end to violations against Palestinian prisoners and the repeal of the notorious execution law targeting them. In Morocco, hundreds of citizens participated in demonstrations and vigils held in various cities, including Tangier, Ksar el Kebir, Fez, Marrakech, Casablanca, and Oujda, as well as the capital, Rabat.
These movements were organized by the National Working Group for Palestine, the Moroccan Authority for Supporting the Nation's Issues, and the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Opposing Normalization. The participants echoed slogans condemning the occupation's policies towards prisoners, including a firm rejection of "executions of Palestinian prisoners," while holding banners underscoring the necessity to defend their rights. They also expressed their opposition to normalization, insisting on its repeal and emphasizing that the issue of prisoners represents both a humanitarian and national priority.
During a gathering in Rabat, Aziz Hanawi, a member of the National Working Group for Palestine, stated that commemorating this day honors the Palestinian prisoners, asserting that their plight should remain a constant presence in daily consciousness rather than just during occasions. He described the execution of prisoners as an unprecedented crime in human history and called for urgent action to pressure Israel to repeal the law.
In a related context, Moroccan human rights activists delivered a letter signed by 50 organizations and hundreds of figures from 22 countries to the United Nations office in Rabat, directed to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, demanding urgent intervention to cancel the law permitting the execution of Palestinian prisoners. Khaled Sfiani, a lawyer and coordinator of the Arab Legal Group for Pursuing War Criminals, noted that this initiative coincided with the commemoration of Prisoners' Day and reflects the increasing international human rights movement surrounding this issue.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the capital London saw scattered protests that were marked by tensions with police, resulting in the arrest of several demonstrators during an event organized to oppose the execution law. Marches took place in streets near Trafalgar Square and Oxford Circus, amidst a heavy police presence. Protesters raised Palestinian flags alongside those of other countries and chanted slogans in support of the prisoners, while police attempted to disperse the crowds and prevent the protests from extending further.
As reported by refugeesps.net.
