Despite public anger: Israeli officers in Morocco to participate in the ‘African Lion’ exercises

Amid ongoing escalation in the Middle East and increasing global outrage over Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, Israel continues to strengthen its military cooperation with several countries, including Morocco. The Israeli occupation army has sent several of its officers to the Kingdom of Morocco to partake in the “African Lion” exercises, conducted under the supervision of the United States.

These annual military exercises, held with the participation of various African and Western armies, are part of a program aimed at enhancing military coordination. This year, they are taking place in several regions of Morocco, including Agadir and Tan-Tan, at a highly sensitive time. The war waged by Israel on Gaza has continued since October 7, 2023, resulting in more than 50,000 Palestinian martyrs, the majority of whom are civilians, according to local authorities and international organizations. Multiple human rights organizations have described the war as a “genocide.”

The news of Israeli officers participating in the exercises has sparked a wave of outrage among broad segments of the Moroccan population, who strongly oppose the normalization of relations with Israel. French-Palestinian activist Rima Hassan remarked on the platform “X” (formerly Twitter), saying: “The Moroccan people do not want normalization with Israel,” a statement that gained wide attention and engagement.

Since the resumption of diplomatic relations between Rabat and Tel Aviv in December 2020, as part of the Abraham Accords, relations between the two sides have expanded in several areas, including defense cooperation, cybersecurity, and technology. Nevertheless, this rapprochement faces fierce criticism from large segments of Moroccan civil society, as well as from political parties and unions, who consider it a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

The “African Lion” exercises are described by the United States as a “strategic rendezvous,” officially aimed at enhancing coordination among participating armed forces to confront regional security challenges. Yet Israel’s participation in these drills, while the war in Gaza continues, adds a highly sensitive political dimension.

This participation raises many questions regarding the position of certain Arab countries trying to balance their strategic interests and international commitments on the one hand, with growing public pressure rejecting normalization and supporting the rights of the Palestinian people on the other.