Morocco agreed to strengthen ties with Israel in 2020, under a deal brokered by the US administration under then President Donald Trump that also included Washington recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara RABAT: Thousands of protesters staged one of the largest pro-Palestinian marches in Rabat on Sunday since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, demanding an end to Morocco’s ties with Israel. Protests against Israel’s war in Gaza have repeatedly drawn thousands of people in Morocco since the conflict began more than two months ago. Sunday’s march was co-organized by leftist groups and the outlawed but tolerated Al-Adl Wal-Ihsan Islamists. Most of the 10,000 protesters appeared to be Islamists, waving Palestinian flags and holding placards reading “resistance till victory,” “stop Moroccan government normalization with Israel” and “free Palestine.” BACKGROUND Morocco agreed to strengthen ties with Israel in 2020, under a deal brokered by the US administration under then President Donald Trump. Morocco agreed to strengthen ties with Israel in 2020, under a deal brokered by the US administration under then President Donald Trump that also included Washington recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Protesters in Sunday’s march also called for a boycott of brands they accuse of supporting Israel. Despite their policy of normalizing ties with Israel, Moroccan authorities have continued to back the creation of a Palestinian state and have urged a ceasefire in Gaza and the protection of all civilians there. Although Morocco and Israel have not yet completed the process of setting up full embassies in each other’s countries as they agreed, they have moved closer together, signing a defense cooperation pact.