Mass protests in Morocco against Israel’s war in Gaza and US support

Al Jazeera - Apr 6th, 2025

In a significant display of public dissent, tens of thousands of Moroccans gathered in Rabat to protest against Israel's aggressive military actions in Gaza and the United States' support for the ongoing conflict. The protesters expressed their anger by trampling on Israeli flags, holding banners of assassinated Hamas leaders, and waving posters combining displaced Palestinians with US President Donald Trump. The demonstration, one of the largest in months, criticized Israel's campaign, which has resulted in over 1,000 Palestinian deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands since a ceasefire was broken. The protests in Morocco are part of a broader wave of pro-Palestinian rallies across the Middle East and North Africa, including in Tunisia and Yemen, in response to Trump's controversial proposal to forcibly relocate Palestinians.

The protests have highlighted widespread disapproval of US foreign policy in the region, particularly Trump's perceived continuation of policies from the Biden administration. Many Moroccans view these policies as exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with public sentiment against the 2020 normalization of ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords remaining strong. While Moroccan authorities usually tolerate demonstrations, there have been arrests of activists, indicating the sensitivity surrounding criticism of foreign relations or the monarchy. The ongoing conflict and the US's role have fueled public outrage, with demonstrators and rights groups denouncing what they see as ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

Donald Trump Us Foreign Policy Abraham Accords Israel Gaza Conflict Morocco Protests Middle East Demonstrations

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging account of the protests in Morocco, highlighting the public's grievances against Israeli actions in Gaza and U.S. foreign policy. It effectively captures the scale of the demonstrations and the sentiments of the protesters. However, the article's accuracy is somewhat undermined by a lack of precise figures and the need for verification of key claims, such as casualty numbers and the specifics of the U.S. proposal. The piece would benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives and a greater diversity of sources to enhance its credibility. While the article is clear and readable, additional context and background information would improve comprehension and engagement. Overall, the article addresses issues of significant public interest and has the potential to influence public opinion, although its impact may be limited by its current lack of balance and depth.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims about the protests in Morocco, including the scale of the demonstrations and the death toll in Gaza. The claim of 'tens of thousands' of protesters aligns with reports of large-scale demonstrations, but lacks precise figures. The casualty figures in Gaza are significant and specific, yet they require verification from authoritative sources for accuracy. The article's assertion about Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians is a critical claim that needs corroboration, as it has significant implications. Overall, while the article captures the essence of the events, some claims would benefit from additional verification and source backing.

Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspective of the protesters, highlighting their grievances against Israel and the United States. While it provides a vivid depiction of the protestors' sentiments, it lacks a balanced representation of other viewpoints, such as those from the Israeli government or U.S. officials. This singular focus may lead to a perception of bias, as it does not explore the complexities of the geopolitical situation or the rationale behind the policies criticized. Including a broader range of perspectives would enhance the story's balance.

Clarity

The article is generally clear in its presentation of the events and the sentiments of the protesters. The language is straightforward, and the narrative is easy to follow. However, the lack of context around certain claims, such as the specifics of Trump's proposal and the broader geopolitical implications, may hinder full comprehension for readers unfamiliar with the situation. Providing additional background information could enhance clarity.

Source quality

The article cites the Associated Press for direct quotes from protesters, which is a reputable source. However, it lacks a diversity of sources, particularly those that could provide official responses or counterpoints to the claims made by the protesters. The absence of direct quotes or statements from Israeli or U.S. officials, or from independent analysts, limits the article's depth and reliability. A more varied source base would strengthen the credibility of the reporting.

Transparency

The article does not provide detailed information about its sources beyond mentioning the Associated Press for certain quotes. There is a lack of transparency regarding how information was gathered, particularly the statistics on casualties and the specifics of the alleged U.S. proposal. Greater disclosure about the sources and methods used to obtain information would improve the article's transparency, allowing readers to better assess the validity of the claims.