Morocco Protests Against Maersk Ship Allegedly Carrying F-35 Parts to Israel

Protests in Morocco were ignited over a Maersk ship allegedly transporting F-35 parts to Israel, prompting police to block activists from reaching port areas. Amid increased public dissent against relations with Israel, labor unions called for a boycott of the ship. The protests signify a growing movement against government complicity in violence in Gaza, with plans for further actions as tensions continue to escalate.

Protests erupted in Morocco against a Maersk ship, the Nexoe, allegedly transporting components for F-35 fighter jets to Israel. On Friday evening, authorities blocked pro-Palestine activists from approaching the Casablanca port, where the vessel was docked. Despite initial successes in gathering at the train station, a police barricade halted further advances towards the harbour. Demonstrators attempted to break through the second barrier but were repelled by security forces.

Prior to the protest, Morocco’s major labor unions, the UMT and the CDT, urged dockworkers to boycott the Maersk Nexoe to disrupt its operation. Activist Sion Asidon commented, “We expected this blockade… Authorities are deploying every tool at their disposal to silence us,” signalling a worrying trend of restricted protests. Previous efforts in cities like Agadir and Meknes saw police shutting down pro-Palestine gatherings.

Although heavily policed, the protest in Casablanca was peaceful and lasted for over two hours, concentrating on the Maersk Nexoe, which was confirmed docked by Vessel Finder. Investigative reports suggest that the vessel is involved in transporting F-35 parts; the cargo was originally loaded in Houston aboard the Maersk Detroit and is reportedly heading to Israel’s Nevatim Air Base.

Seasoned activists from groups such as BDS Morocco speculate the Nexoe contains equipment essential for maintaining F-35s, crucial for the Israeli military’s ongoing operations. Asidon elaborated, “A sea shipment in a full container implies a large volume of this essential equipment.” Maersk has not definitively confirmed the shipment’s destination, only stating the cargo is for other participants in the joint program.

Demonstrators at the protest carried signs demanding respect for the people’s will and decrying complicity with what they termed a genocide against Palestinians. Khadija Ryad, a prominent activist, remarked, “It is shameful that… the government still refuses to listen to its people.” The rising public dissent against Morocco’s foreign relations with Israel stems from the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has intensified protests and calls for severing ties.

Morocco normalized its relations with Israel in 2020 under a US-brokered agreement. Despite the backlash, official statements indicate that this normalization does not endorse Israel’s current policies. Calls from activists urge the government’s bold action, including the closure of the Israeli liaison office in Rabat. Amid rising tensions, a subsequent protest is planned in Tangier coinciding with the Maersk Detroit’s docking on April 20, 2024.

The recent protests in Morocco against the Maersk Nexoe reflect a significant surge in public opposition to the government’s relationship with Israel, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Authorities’ efforts to suppress protests highlight the tension between civic activism and state control. With future demonstrations planned, civil society appears increasingly determined to demand accountability and challenge perceived complicity in violence against Palestinians. The situation remains fluid as activists prepare for ongoing actions related to the contentious cargo shipments.

Original Source: www.newarab.com