Growing Anger in North Africa Over Israeli Offensive in Gaza
North Africans have been rallying in various venues to express their solidarity with the population of Gaza, as the Israel offensive against Hamas continues.
The death toll of more than 500 Palestinians and the sustained media coverage are having a direct impact on public opinion in the region, with the North Africans essentially supporting the Palestinians in this conflict.
In Morocco, several marches have taken place in various venues, with the biggest one taking place in Rabat over the weekend. Police and security forces estimated the Rabat demonstration to have gathered 35,000 people, who protested the Israeli offensive. In addition to the general population, a number of intellectuals have taken part to the demonstrations. Other Moroccan cities with similar demonstrations include Casablanca, Marrakech, Fez, Tangier, Oujda, and Settat.
In Algeria, all street demonstrations have been banned by the state of emergency law that has been in effect for several years. However, the leading political parties have organized their own events. The three governing coalition parties, the FLN, RND and MSP were joined by the left wing People’s Party (Parti des Travailleurs) and state-endorsed labor union, UGTA, to hold an indoor demonstration of support the Palestinians and express their anger at the Israeli offensive. Many demonstrators, in particular students, were prevented to move to the streets. Former Islamist militants of the FIS insurgent group were also present, headed by their famed leader Ali Benhadj.
Tunisians have also been vocal about the events in Gaza. An aircraft with humanitarian aid was dispatched from Tunisia to the Northern Sinai in Egypt.
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