Moroccan court releases pro-Palestine activist Ismail Lghazaoui after reducing his sentence following international outcry. Lghazaoui was initially sentenced for incitement linked to protests against US support for Israel. His case represents a broader trend of repression against anti-normalization activists in Morocco amid escalating tensions regarding Palestinian rights.
A Moroccan court has released prominent pro-Palestine activist Ismail Lghazaoui following international pressure for his freedom. Lghazaoui, affiliated with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, was freed on February 5 after an appeal court reduced his initial one-year sentence to two months, which he had already served. He was charged with “incitement to commit crimes and misdemeanours using electronic means” based on his calls for a blockade of the US embassy due to its support for Israel.
The activist’s detention occurred on November 19, 2024, shortly after he urged port workers and the public to obstruct Maersk cargo ships purportedly carrying military supplies to Israel. During an October protest in Casablanca, he also advocated for a blockade of the US embassy, attributing Israel’s actions in Gaza to the US support. In the lead-up to his appeal trial, various BDS organizations internationally condemned his detention, indicating a suppression of dissent against the normalization of ties with Israel by Moroccan authorities.
Upon Lghazaoui’s release, pro-Palestine activists gathered outside Oukacha prison in Casablanca to celebrate, passionately voicing their support. His mother, instrumental in the campaign for his release, called for the liberation of other pro-Palestinian detainees and urged continued advocacy against injustices. She remarked, “I call for the release of all prisoners of conscience and for the liberation of all Palestinian hostages in Israeli prisons.”
Since the onset of the Gaza war, Moroccan authorities have initiated legal actions against numerous anti-normalization activists. Recently, thirteen activists were handed six-month suspended sentences for unauthorized protests targeting a retailer associated with Israeli settlements. In April 2024, another activist faced five years in prison for Facebook posts critical of Israel and Morocco’s relationship with Tel Aviv, highlighting the increasing repression faced by dissenters in Morocco.
The article discusses the recent release of Ismail Lghazaoui, a pro-Palestine activist in Morocco, after international protests demanded his freedom. Lghazaoui’s activism was in response to Morocco’s normalization of relations with Israel, which has spurred a crackdown on dissenters in the country. The situation showcases the tensions surrounding political activism in Morocco, particularly regarding Palestinian rights and the government’s stance toward Israel, especially since their diplomatic relations began in December 2020.
Ismail Lghazaoui’s release exemplifies the impact of international advocacy in support of pro-Palestinian activists in Morocco. His charges and subsequent sentence reflect a broader pattern of suppression against dissent regarding the nation’s diplomatic relations with Israel. The ongoing struggles of activists underscore the serious implications of political repression in Morocco, emphasizing the need for continued support for human rights and freedom of expression.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
