Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Doha – In a comprehensive survey conducted by one of Morocco’s leading news outlets, an overwhelming majority of Moroccan citizens have expressed strong support for the Palestinian cause, according to recent Israeli media reports.
According to the Israeli news platform Mako, the survey, which included 13,857 Moroccan citizens aged 20-70, revealed that 98.2% of respondents believe the Palestinian cause should be a top priority for all Muslims.
The survey showed that 97.1% of participants support Palestinian resistance against the Israeli occupation, while only 2.9% oppose it.
The shift in Moroccan public opinion has been dramatic since October 7, 2023. The country, which was “one of the most friendly countries to Israel” according to the Hebrew outlet Mako, “overnight became one of the most hostile countries to Israel.”
Israeli media reported several incidents, including racist calls suggesting “Jews will stab Moroccans in the back,” an alleged physical attack on an Israeli tourist in a market, and claims that two Israeli women were required to pay bribes to enter the country.
However, these remain isolated cases in a nation where, according to Mako, Israeli tourists previously “traveled in droves, were warmly welcomed, and contributed significantly to the local economy.”
Over 200,000 Israeli tourists visited in 2022 alone without any recorded anti-Jewish incidents or hatred cases, according to previous reports by The Jerusalem Post.
Statistics show that as of September 2024, Morocco has witnessed over 5,000 demonstrations in solidarity with Gaza, including 188 local and national marches, 817 solidarity events, 8 national protest days, and 21 boycott campaigns against companies supporting Israel.
Mako reported that the country has become one of the five countries with the highest number of pro-Palestinian demonstrations globally, alongside the United States, Yemen, Turkiye, and Iran.
This stance has significantly impacted Morocco’s reputation in Israel. According to a recent report by the Royal Institute for Strategic Studies (IRES) and Reputation Lab, Morocco’s reputation in Israel declined by 8.7 points between 2023 and 2024, primarily due to the North African country’s position on Gaza.
The shift in public sentiment comes amid Israel’s ongoing genocidal campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in devastating humanitarian consequences.
As of January 2, at least 45,541 Palestinians have been killed, including 17,492 children, with more than 108,338 injured and 11,160 missing.
The destruction has affected more than half of Gaza’s homes, 80% of the enclave’s commercial facilities, and 88% of school buildings. To make the devastating catastrophe worse, only 47% of hospitals are partially functional, as a result of Israeli Occupation Forces’ (IOF) raids and bombardments.
Local sources in Morocco reported significant pressure from pro-Palestinian groups to boycott companies trading with Israel, particularly in the food sector. “Most citizens oppose maintaining relations with Israel given the Israeli army’s actions in Gaza against Palestinians,” a local source told Israeli media.
The source added that “social networks and leading news channels in the country are almost all mobilized against the State of Israel.”
The survey’s findings demonstrate a unified position among Moroccan citizens, with 96.9% characterizing IOF actions against Palestinians as aggression and targeted killing, while only 3.1% viewed them as self-defense.
These statistics reflect a broader shift in Moroccan public opinion and diplomatic stance in support of Palestinian rights and sovereignty.
Read also: One Year After October 7: ‘Normalization Has Fallen Popularly and Must Fall Officially’
