Morocco Blocks Protests Over Maersk Ship Allegedly Carrying F-35 Cargo to Israel
Moroccan authorities blocked pro-Palestine protests against a Maersk ship suspected of transporting F-35 parts to Israel. Activists managed to assemble in Casablanca but were halted by police. As tensions rise, calls for boycotts and opposition to Morocco’s relations with Israel have intensified, with future demonstrations planned against military shipments.
On a recent Friday evening, Moroccan authorities prevented dozens of pro-Palestine activists from reaching the Casablanca port, where a Maersk ship, suspected of transporting F-35 fighter jet components to Israel, was reportedly docked. Demonstrators gathered near the city’s main train station, displaying Palestinian flags and chanting peacefully, aiming to rally against the controversial shipment. They managed to overcome an initial police barricade but were ultimately stopped at a second line of security forces near the port’s entrance.
Numerous dockworkers responded to a rare call from Morocco’s largest labor unions, the UMT and the CDT, to boycott the Maersk vessel, potentially impacting its operations. Veteran activist Sion Asidon echoed concerns about the increasing restrictions on protest activities across the country, highlighting the government’s aggressive measures to suppress dissent regarding the situation in Palestine. Notably, a planned student protest in Meknes was thwarted by closed university gates, preventing attendees from voicing their support for Palestine.
The protest in Casablanca lasted over two hours and remained peaceful despite the heavy police presence. Activists focused on the Maersk Nexoe, which had docked in the port, as reports surfaced questioning the nature of its cargo. Investigative reports from sources such as The Ditch and UK Declassified suggest that Maersk plays a significant role in transporting F-35 components destined for Israel’s military operations.
These components, initially loaded onto the US-flagged Maersk Detroit in Houston, are reportedly headed to Nevatim Air Base, essential for the Israeli Air Force amid ongoing conflicts. Activists claim the Detroit will dock in Tangier on April 20 to transfer the cargo to the Nexoe for further shipment to Haifa. Both Maersk and Moroccan authorities have not confirmed the specifics of the cargo.
Activists from BDS Morocco and other organizations assert that the ship is transporting critical equipment for repairing F-35s, essential for combat readiness. Asidon explained that frequent repairs are necessary due to the jets’ operational demands, stating, “Roughly every ten days, one of these F-35s breaks down and needs repairs to return to service.”
Maersk acknowledged transporting F-35 components but insisted they were not destined for Israel. They have previously denied transporting arms, while also noting that their policy permits handling military-related goods. During the protest, demonstrators displayed messages urging the Moroccan government to heed public sentiment and refrain from facilitating what they described as complicity in genocide, citing the devastating toll on Gaza’s population.
Protesters also expressed solidarity with Yemenis disrupting Israeli maritime trade and commended Moroccan dockworkers for their boycott efforts against the Maersk vessel. Khadija Ryad, a prominent activist, condemned the government’s ongoing indifference to public outcry regarding Israel’s actions against Palestinians.
Public opposition to Morocco’s diplomatic relations with Israel has intensified since the escalation of violence in Gaza, with weekly demonstrations across various cities. Despite some parliamentary condemnation, activists demand decisive actions, including the closure of the Israeli liaison office in Rabat. A further protest is planned for April 20 in Tangier, coinciding with the expected arrival of the Maersk Detroit, as activists aim to halt the perceived critical shipment to Israel.
In summary, Moroccan authorities have taken firm action against pro-Palestine protests, particularly surrounding the arrival of a Maersk ship allegedly transporting military equipment to Israel. Activists have faced increasing suppression in their efforts to voice dissent, with significant public sentiment emerging against the normalization of ties with Israel. The situation remains tense as further protests are planned, underscoring the deepening opposition within Morocco regarding its role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
