Morocco journalists slam normalization with Israel as ‘crime against Palestinians’

Journalists in Morocco have firmly rejected media normalisation with Israel, describing it as a "crime against the Palestinians, Moroccans and humanity".

The condemnation came in a joint statement signed by dozens of Moroccon journalists, most notably Abu Bakr Jamai, Ali Anouzla, Hajar Raissouni and Hanan Bakour.

The journalists also condemned their government’s decision to allow Israel’s i24news channel to open two offices in the North African country.

Israel's i24 news channel opened an office in cities of Rabat and Casablanca last month.

"It provokes the feelings of Moroccans whose hearts are linked in Palestine as a national issue as well as provokes our feelings as journalists who are biased towards the truth," the statement said.

This comes as Israeli Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked landed in Morocco on Monday, where she met with a series of Moroccan officials, including Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan signed agreements to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 as part of the so-called Abraham Accords, brokered by the previous US administration.

The normalization deals have sparked widespread protests in these countries, pointing to the overwhelming divide between the rulers and the people.

The normalization deals have also been condemned by all Palestinian political factions, who have termed it a betrayal of their cause.

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