Protests at Moroccan ports challenge ties with Israel

Widespread protests across Morocco have reached its key shipping ports, as activists seek to disrupt military shipments linked to Israel and pressure the government to reverse its normalization of relations.

In recent weeks, demonstrators have rallied at ports in Tangier and Casablanca, demanding that authorities block vessels suspected of carrying arms or components bound for Israel. One such ship, which originated in Houston and was transporting parts for F-35 fighter jets, became a flashpoint. Protesters marched with Palestinian flags and signs reading “Reject the ship.”

Ismail Lghazaoui, a 34-year-old agricultural engineer, has become a familiar face at these rallies. Jailed last year for criticizing Morocco’s growing ties with Israel, he returned to the streets soon after his release. “They try to silence people,” he told the Associated Press. “They were using me to dissuade others.”

The growing unrest underscores the disconnect between Morocco’s leadership and much of its population. The normalization deal, part of the 2020 Abraham Accords brokered by the Trump administration, granted Morocco U.S. recognition of its claim to Western Sahara—a long-sought diplomatic prize. But it has also fueled deep public resentment, especially during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

“There’s a real divide between the monarchy and the people,” said Aboubakr Jamai, a political analyst based in Spain. “Public opinion is overwhelmingly against normalization.”

Tens of thousands have marched in cities across Morocco since the war began, driven by grassroots networks of students, families, leftist groups, unionists, and Islamists. Some protests have featured more radical elements, including flag burnings and denunciations of royal advisers with ties to the Jewish community.

While authorities have mostly allowed protests to proceed, they have cracked down on dissent directed at the monarchy or linked to calls for boycotts. Morocco’s constitution permits freedom of expression, but criticizing King Mohammed VI remains a red line, with violators often facing arrest.

Port demonstrations gained momentum when the country’s largest labor union backed calls to block military-linked shipments. Religious leaders affiliated with the banned but influential Islamist group Al Adl wal Ihsan also issued statements supporting the protests. The group has helped mobilize nationwide pro-Palestinian action, reporting more than 100 rallies in April alone.

Shipping giant Maersk, often singled out by activists, confirmed that vessels passing through Morocco had carried fighter jet components. However, the company denied shipping weapons directly to conflict zones, citing its use of end-use certificates to ensure compliance with international regulations.

A port official in Tangier, speaking anonymously, noted that while imports are inspected, transiting cargo typically isn’t subjected to the same scrutiny.

Neither Morocco’s Foreign Ministry nor the Israeli military responded to requests for comment. F-35 aircraft are assembled in the U.S., but rely on a global supply chain that includes Israeli-made parts.

At home, the unrest has stirred broader political and identity debates. Some nationalist voices have questioned whether the focus on Gaza overshadows local struggles, such as the status of the Amazigh population and Western Sahara. 

Meanwhile, political realignments are underway: the Islamist Justice and Development Party, once a supporter of normalization, recently invited Hamas leaders to its congress—a symbolic gesture reflecting shifting tides.

“Palestine will remain our primary cause,” said former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, now head of the party.

Despite arrests and restrictions, the movement against normalization appears to be gaining strength—not retreating.Yet, in spite of the hostility of public opinion, the regime maintains a firm grip on the population and is keenly aware of the strategic benefits of its relationship with Jerusalem. 

These include diplomatic leverage, defense cooperation, and U.S. backing on key territorial claims. As a result, while protests may continue to surge in size and visibility, they are unlikely to bring about a fundamental policy shift in the near term.