Israeli Report: War on Gaza Impacts Israeli-Moroccan Ties

Beni Mellal – The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) recently published a commentary titled “The War in Gaza Harms Israeli–Moroccan Normalization,” shedding light on the significant impact of the ongoing war on Gaza on the diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco.

A recent Arab Barometer report, cited by the INSS, reveals a sharp decline in popular support for the two countries ties among Moroccans, dropping from 31% in 2022 to a mere 13% this year.

This marks a significant shift in Morocco, which previously had higher levels of support for normalization compared to other Arab countries like Egypt and Jordan.

The INSS attributes this decline to how the Arab world, including Morocco, perceives the ongoing war on Gaza. According to the Arab Barometer poll, Moroccans commonly describe the events in Gaza as a massacre (26%), a war (24%), a genocide (14%), or a mass killing (14%).

Since October, Morocco has witnessed nearly weekly protests in support of the Palestinians, with demonstrators often calling for the severing of ties between Israel and Morocco.

The INSS commentary notes that this trend “exacerbates the tension between Morocco’s official policy of maintaining ties with Israel, albeit at a low profile, and the increasing public and political opposition.”

It mentions that while “the Kingdom has allowed public demonstrations in support of the Palestinians,” it has also “shown little tolerance for open criticism of its official policies of continuing its ties with Israel, and at least two people have been arrested in recent months for criticizing its policies.”

According to the INSS report, key aspects of Israeli-Moroccan relations, such as bilateral trade and security ties, remain unaffected by the war in Gaza. However, other important aspects, including overt diplomatic ties, official visits, and tourism, have been significantly harmed.

The INSS also points out that this pattern of fluctuating relations during periods of escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not unprecedented. The report cites the example of the Second Intifada, during which Morocco severed relations with Israel due to the conflict’s escalation, and it took nearly two decades to renew them.

The INSS suggests that Israel should be mindful of the fact that Morocco’s support for the Palestinians may extend beyond mere lip service.

As the war on Gaza continues to impact public opinion in Morocco and the broader Arab world, the future of Israeli-Moroccan normalization remains uncertain, according to the INSS commentary.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza has announced a devastating update on the ongoing conflict, revealing that the death toll due to Israel’s military actions against Gaza has escalated to 37,372.

Separately, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has reported severe damage to the infrastructure of Gaza.

Nearly 67% of essential services, including water and sanitation systems, have been destroyed or severely impaired after eight months of continuous bombardment by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).