Moroccan parties and organizations expressed their positions in statements issued separately by the Moroccan Justice and Development Party parliamentary bloc, the Federation of the Democratic Left in the House of Representatives, and the Moroccan Observatory Against Normalization.
In a speech he delivered in the Moroccan Parliament on Tuesday, Macron considered the Palestinian resistance “barbaric,” and held it responsible for the events of October 7, 2023, justifying the aggression on Gaza as “Israel’s right to defend itself.”
Macron added: “But nothing justifies this large death toll of civilians in Gaza,” commenting on the genocide that Israel has been committing for more than a year against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The Moroccan Justice and Development Party criticized Macron’s statements, and said in a statement by its parliamentary bloc: “We reject the unfair and incorrect description contained in Macron’s speech in his assessment of the events of October 7, which the Palestinian resistance called the Al-Aqsa Flood.”
The statement added: “The Al-Aqsa flood is a natural reaction, guaranteed by all international laws, laws and conventions, for all peoples suffering under the burden of occupation and colonialism, including the Palestinian people.”
He considered that “describing the events of October 7, 2023 as barbaric or barbaric, in exchange for a victory for Israel’s so-called right to defend itself, could amount to a partnership with the Israeli occupation, in the war of genocide that it has been committing in front of the world for more than a year in Gaza and Lebanon.”
He explained, “The Justice and Development parliamentary bloc deliberated on an immediate reaction while the French President was delivering his speech, but out of respect for him as a guest of His Majesty the King, and in compliance with the approach of Moroccans in dealing with their guests, we decided to abandon the agreed-upon reaction.”
As for the Moroccan Observatory against Normalization, it considered that Macron “renews the expression of the old colonial dictionary by criminalizing the right to resistance by describing it as terrorism, just as colonial France used to describe resistance fighters in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia against imperialism in the mid-twentieth century.”
He pointed out that “while Macron was giving his speech, the remains of more than 70 displaced martyrs were under the rubble of a building in Beit Lahia.”
In turn, the representative in Parliament from the Federation of the Democratic Left, Fatima Al-Tamani, rejected what was stated in Macron’s speech against the Palestinian resistance.
She said in a statement, “This speech reveals the blatant hypocrisy of the French state, which claims to defend democracy and human rights, while it continues to support and arm the Zionist entity, which practices the ugliest types of terrorism and crimes against the Palestinian people.”
On Tuesday evening, the Moroccan Front to Support Palestine and Against Normalization organized a protest in the city of Marrakesh against Macron’s statements.
The demonstrators raised slogans protesting against describing the Palestinian resistance as “barbaric,” declaring solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples in the face of the genocide committed by Israel.
On Monday, Macron began an official visit to Morocco that concluded on Wednesday, during which he attended the signing of bilateral agreements accompanied by King Mohammed VI.
Source: Agencies
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**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today. We’re here to discuss the recent controversy surrounding French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Morocco and the reactions it has sparked. Joining us is Dr. Sara Kassem, an expert in Middle Eastern politics. Dr. Kassem, can you summarize the key points of Macron’s statements during his visit?
**Dr. Kassem:** Thank you for having me. Macron’s statements in the Moroccan Parliament have indeed raised eyebrows. He labeled the Palestinian resistance as “barbaric” and held it responsible for the events of October 7, which he justified as Israel’s right to defend itself. However, he also acknowledged that the high civilian casualty toll in Gaza is unacceptable, suggesting a complex stance on this ongoing conflict.
**Interviewer:** The Moroccan Justice and Development Party has expressed strong criticism of Macron’s remarks. What specific objections have they raised?
**Dr. Kassem:** Absolutely. The Justice and Development Party condemned Macron’s language, particularly his characterization of the Palestinian resistance. They asserted that the events of October 7, referred to as the Al-Aqsa Flood, were a justified reaction to occupation, supported by international law. They emphasized the need for a nuanced understanding of resistance against colonialism, arguing that Macron’s labeling could equate to complicity with Israeli actions in Gaza.
**Interviewer:** It’s clear that the reaction in Morocco is quite intense. How have other Moroccan organizations responded to Macron’s visit and statements?
**Dr. Kassem:** Several parties and civil organizations in Morocco have echoed similar sentiments. The Federation of the Democratic Left and the Moroccan Observatory Against Normalization have also released statements criticizing Macron’s views. They align with the Justice and Development Party’s position, highlighting solidarity with the Palestinian cause and expressing concerns about the implications of France’s diplomatic stance amidst ongoing violence in Gaza.
**Interviewer:** Macron’s visit has also sparked protests from pro-Palestine groups. Can you tell us about those protests and the sentiments expressed?
**Dr. Kassem:** Yes, pro-Palestine groups protested against Macron’s visit, arguing that his presence in Morocco, while supporting an unjust narrative, undermines the plight of Palestinians. The protests reflect widespread frustration within Morocco about foreign leaders perceived as not supporting Palestinian rights, particularly given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
**Interviewer:** How does this situation reflect Morocco’s broader stance on the Palestinian issue and its relationship with international diplomacy?
**Dr. Kassem:** This situation underscores Morocco’s delicate balancing act. Morocco has historically supported the Palestinian cause, advocating for Palestinian rights on international platforms. However, it also seeks to maintain diplomatic relationships with major powers like France. Macron’s visit has put this balancing act to the test, revealing the challenges Morocco faces in reconciling its domestic sentiments with international diplomacy. Ultimately, the Moroccan government’s response will be crucial in shaping its future policy direction.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Kassem, for your insights on this critical issue. The reactions to Macron’s visit certainly highlight the complexities of international diplomacy in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
