The article discusses the backlash faced by former Al Jazeera Correspondent Wael Al Dahdouh after he appeared in a video with two Polisario activists during a pro-Palestine meeting in Spain. Critics, particularly from Morocco, accused him of undermining the Palestinian cause, which has traditionally united Moroccans across political spectrums. The article highlights a growing trend among some Moroccans who express disillusionment with the Palestinian issue, fueled by nationalist sentiments that prioritize Moroccan interests, often using slogans like “Palestine is not my cause.”
The normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel since late 2020 has intensified debates around Palestine and Western Sahara, dividing opinions into four main groups: far-left anti-normalization advocates, religious opponents, pragmatic supporters of normalization, and those fully supportive of it. The article argues that the two issues—Palestine and Western Sahara—should not be seen as mutually exclusive.
Additionally, the piece criticizes those promoting a narrow interpretation of Moroccan identity that dismisses historical ties to Palestine, emphasizing that Morocco’s Islamic identity connects it deeply to the Palestinian struggle. It calls for Moroccans to recognize the suffering of Palestinians without feeling their patriotism is compromised. Ultimately, it urges the Moroccan government to increase efforts in advocating for Palestinian rights to address the complex emotions many Moroccans face over this dilemma.
