Morocco, a retreat for Israeli soldiers leaving Gaza

As Israeli war crimes in Gaza, the West Bank, and now Lebanon draw international censure, will Morocco continue offering a luxurious retreat for occupation soldiers, or will mounting public outrage and legal action force the kingdom to confront its controversial alliance with Tel Aviv?

Anis Raiss

The Cradle

Now, outside of Gaza, the cries of children and the echoes of shattered lives linger in Israeli soldier Moshe Avichzer’s mind. Blood splatters, refusing to fade, stain his occupational army uniform, and the dust of leveled neighborhoods clings to his skin. 

The mission is complete: Gaza is left in ruins, its people without water, electricity, or hope. Now, the need to decompress calls for a new task. 

But where does an Israeli soldier like Avichzer unwind after committing such atrocities? The answer is Morocco – Marrakesh, to be exact.

Morocco’s so-called ‘solidarity’ with Palestine 

For years, Morocco, under King Mohammed VI and the Makhzen elite, has publicly positioned itself as a supporter of Palestine. As head of the Al-Quds Committee, the king frequently issues symbolic statements, projecting an image of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

However, as Machiavelli’s “Effectual Truth” theory suggests, real intentions are revealed not through words but actions. Morocco’s stance is no exception. While outwardly championing Palestine, and before resuming relations with Tel Aviv in 2020, the kingdom quietly forged covert military and intelligence ties with the occupation state for decades. 

This includes arms deals, the acquisition of Israeli weaponry like kamikaze drones, and the use of Pegasus spyware – tools of war that contradict the kingdom’s supposed ideals of justice and solidarity. Last year, this relationship was highlighted when André Azoulay, King Mohammed’s long-time advisor, was awarded Israel’s highest non-citizen honor.

Trade with Tel Aviv has only become more pronounced and overt since signing the Abraham Accords; according to a report by The Cradle earlier this year, Morocco was among the top Muslim-majority countries that do business with Israel, with exports to Israel amounting to $17.92 million in 2022. 

‘We are all Israelis’ 

Adding another layer to this contradiction is Moroccan media mogul Ahmed Charai. On 7 October 2023, following the launch of the Palestinian resistance operation Al-Asqa Flood, Charai penned an article titled “We Are All Israelis” in the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune, a piece that left many Moroccans stunned. 

His words felt like a betrayal, aligning Morocco with the very forces destroying Palestinian lives. Public outrage was swift, with many Moroccans denouncing his article as ‘simping’ – a desperate bid for Israeli approval. 

Charai’s attempt to reshape Moroccan identity to align with the Zionist cause stretched credulity, leaving many citizens questioning why their national identity was being hijacked for political gain.

Yet while Avichzer lounged in Marrakesh’s luxury, enjoying its opulence, the facade of Morocco’s solidarity with Palestine began to peel away. It becomes apparent that Morocco, despite its public posturing, has become a haven for occupation soldiers with blood on their hands.

Legal repercussions and public outrage

However, Avichzer’s Moroccan getaway has not gone unnoticed. 

In May, the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan declared, “There is a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes have been committed in Gaza,” directly implicating occupation soldiers, including Avichzer, in violations of international law. Despite this, Avichzer flaunted his involvement on social media, posting images of burned homes and devastated Palestinian neighborhoods with little fear of consequence.

On 14 September, Moroccan lawyers Bouchra al-Asmi, Salwa al-Majadli, and Abdelssamad Taârji filed a legal complaint against Avichzer, accusing him of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and torture in Gaza. 

The complaint cites Article 711-1 of the Moroccan Code of Criminal Procedure, which allows prosecution of Moroccans or foreigners for terrorist crimes committed abroad if they are apprehended in the country. It also cites the anti-terrorism law’s Article 218-1 of the Penal Code.

“The group’s pursuit of this criminal falls within the framework of defending Palestinian human rights,” stated lawyer Najia al-Hadaji, emphasizing the moral basis of their complaint. Asimi called Avichzer’s visit a “provocation to the feelings of Moroccans.” The lawyers backed their case with images from Avichzer’s Instagram profile depicting “killing, burning, and torture against Palestinians.”

Public outrage grew in Marrakesh, with activist Imad al-Diouri remarking, “The Israeli soldier ... will think a thousand times before returning.” Youssef Abu al-Hassan of the Moroccan Front to Support Palestine rallied for protests, underscoring the people’s solidarity with Palestine.

Decades of covert collaboration and diplomatic facades

The Avichzer case has cast fresh light on Morocco’s long-standing relationship with Israel – a history far more complex than it appears. Decades ago, Israel’s Mossad facilitated the emigration of Moroccan Jews in an operation known as “Yachin.”

While this may have seemed to be a humanitarian effort, it was rooted in profit: King Hassan II imposed steep fees for each emigrant, prioritizing financial gain over the well-being of his citizens.

This relationship grew stronger in the 1960s as Morocco began relying heavily on Israeli intelligence. The Mossad trained Morocco’s security services and even helped surveil political opponents. Perhaps most telling, King Hassan II went so far as to allow the Mossad to bug an Arab League summit in Casablanca, providing Israel with crucial intelligence that contributed to its victory in the Six-Day War.

Doubling down on betrayal 

The depth of these ties is commemorated in Israel, where streets and monuments bear King Hassan II’s name, symbolizing a connection that transcends mere diplomacy. This raises a critical question: is Morocco’s professed solidarity with Palestine merely a diplomatic facade to maintain public opinion while deepening ties with Israel?

A more recent and disturbing revelation comes from Moroccan academic Mohamed al-Batawi, who alleges that Moroccan soldiers are currently assisting Israeli forces in Gaza, infiltrating Hamas tunnels as “tunnel rats.” If true, this implicates Morocco directly in the very violations of humanitarian law that the ICC has condemned.

With the court now deliberating Avichzer’s case, all eyes turn to King Mohammed VI. Will he stand by the principles of justice his kingdom claims to champion, or will this moment further expose Morocco’s true alliances? 

Under the monarch’s watch, Morocco faces a defining choice – one that could either shatter the illusion or strengthen the image of a nation that stands for justice. The Moroccan public waits, hoping for a decision rooted in integrity, not power.