Massive Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations in Rabat
On April 19, 2026, a substantial crowd of over 5,000 Moroccans gathered in the heart of Rabat to express their solidarity with the Palestinian people and to voice their opposition to a newly enacted Israeli law regarding the death penalty, specifically designed to target Palestinians. This demonstration, observed by AFP journalists, saw participants marching along Mohammed V Avenue, proudly displaying both Palestinian and Moroccan flags. The protest was organized by the National Action Group for Palestine, which includes members from various political factions, including the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) and leftist activists.
Participants chanted slogans such as "No to the death penalty," "No to occupation and Zionism," and "Gaza is starving," reflecting their deep concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the implications of the controversial legislation. Among the demonstrators was Najoua Ouahbi, a 26-year-old protester, who articulated her dismay regarding the alarming conditions faced by civilians in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for support for Palestinian prisoners who are now threatened by this new law. Aziz El Hannaoui, a member of the organizing coalition, reiterated this sentiment, highlighting the law's potential to exacerbate the already dire situation for Palestinians.
Understanding the Controversial Israeli Legislation
The new Israeli law stipulates that any individual who intentionally causes the death of another person with the intent to harm an Israeli citizen or resident, aiming to threaten the existence of the state of Israel, could face the death penalty or life imprisonment. For Palestinians residing in the occupied West Bank, this legislation means that the death penalty would be the default punishment if the act is classified as terrorism by Israeli military courts. Although the death penalty has been a legal provision in Israel since its establishment, it has been enforced only twice since 1948.
Protesters in Rabat voiced their fierce rejection of Morocco's normalization of relations with Israel, a process that was formalized in late 2020. This demonstration is part of a broader wave of pro-Palestinian protests that have erupted in Morocco following the outbreak of conflict in Gaza on October 7, 2023, which was instigated by an unprecedented attack from Hamas against Israel. Since then, reports indicate that more than 72,500 individuals have lost their lives in the ongoing violence, with over 770 fatalities occurring since a fragile ceasefire took effect on October 10, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
As reported by information.tv5monde.com.
