Marrakesh Erupts in Protest Against Israeli Minister’s Visit

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Agencies

22 Aug 2026 13:41

Pro-Palestine demonstrators gather in Marrakesh as Morocco resumes a direct air route with "Israel" after a three-year suspension.

The Moroccan city of Marrakesh witnessed a large demonstration on Friday evening organized by supporters of the Palestinian people, who gathered to voice their strong opposition to the visit of Israeli occupation Transport Minister Miri Regev.

The protest came as Regev arrived in Marrakesh aboard the first direct flight between “Israel” and Morocco in three years.

Regev, a prominent minister in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, is visiting Morocco to announce the resumption of the direct air route between Tel Aviv and Marrakesh, operated by Arkia Airlines, following a nearly three-year suspension.

An Israeli delegation is accompanying the minister, who has faced protests over her record of anti-Palestinian positions, as well as her racist and inflammatory rhetoric.

Marrakesh protests expose Morocco’s growing anti-normalization push

Regev drew international attention last May during the detention of activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which included Moroccan participants.

At the time, videos showed her boasting about the interception and detention of the activists. In a similar vein, Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also published a video documenting the mistreatment and mockery of the flotilla activists, prompting widespread international condemnation.

The protests in Marrakesh highlight the growing divide between Morocco’s normalization policies and widespread public opposition to closer ties with “Israel".

While the government has maintained diplomatic and economic relations with “Israel", many Moroccans continue to reject normalization and express solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The demonstrations show that, despite the resumption of direct flights and efforts to deepen official relations, opposition to normalization remains strong and continues to take to the streets.