After several spontaneous demonstrations that took place around Europe and Africa, more than 50,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Rabat, Monday, in support of Palestinians while protesting against an Israeli attack, last week, during which no fewer than 19 people were killed on a humanitarian flotilla on international waters.
The march was attended by personalities, party leaders, trade unionists and activists of all political movements. It was also an opportunity for the Palestinian community in the Moroccan kingdom to condemn the obstinacy of the Israeli government which has for the past two years maintained a blockade on Gaza despite international criticisms over falling health and social standards.
“Thanks Erdogan, thank you Turkey,” “All against piracy of State”, “The people resisted, plans haggle,” “All for the lifting of the embargo against Gaza,” chanted the demonstrators. Other demonstrators walked on an Israeli flag while shouting slogans hostile to Israel and the Arab regimes.
According to the Moroccan police over 50,000 people took part in the event which attracted crowds from all parts of the country.
Egypt Gaza border
Tuesday, 21 member countries of the Arab League met in Cairo, Egypt to find a solution to the deadly Israeli army raid on the Free Gaza humanitarian flotilla. According to Aljazeera, Egypt decided, during the meeting, to open the Rafah border post, the only access point into Gaza that is not under Israeli control. The opening of the border should allow the flow of essential supplies into Gaza.
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt denounced the “use of excessive force” while Morocco, represented by its foreign minister Taib Fassi Fihri condemned the “ignoble agression”. “This humanitarian caravan was meant to bring support to our brothers in Gaza who have been subject to a blockade”, Mr. Taib Fassi Fihri continued. “This attack is insane, unjustified and unacceptable in political, diplomatic and humanitarian terms”, he said.
The Algerian Front des forces socialistes (FFS) has on its side renewed its support for the Palestinian people. “Keeping quiet in the face of this crime is tantamount to a weakness that could attract incalculable consequences”, it said in a statement. Meanwhile, the Libyan Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation (GICDF), an international non-governmental organization, has said that the attack was a “shameful crime”.
