Tangier bans pro Palestine protest over Israeli sailing delegation

Authorities in Tangier have banned a demonstration planned for Saturday evening near the port by the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Opposing Normalization. The rally was intended to protest the participation of an Israeli delegation in the Optimist World Sailing Championship, being held in Tangier from June 18 to 28.

Held on African soil for the first time, the international competition brings together 73 delegations and around 300 young athletes aged 12 to 16.

On Friday, the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine and Opposing Normalization called for a protest to denounce the Israeli presence. The NGO has already organized several sit-ins and marches in Tangier to voice its opposition to Israel and the normalization of relations between Rabat and Tel Aviv.

Morocco restored diplomatic ties with Israel on December 10, 2020, under the Abraham Accords. Since then, the move has continued to draw opposition from some Islamist movements and radical left-wing groups, including the Moroccan Front for Supporting Palestine.