MOROCCO: PROTESTS CONTINUE OVER GAZA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 000021 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2029 TAGS: PREL PHUM PINS ASEC KPAL KWBG MO SUBJECT: MOROCCO: PROTESTS CONTINUE OVER GAZA REF: RABAT 01204 Classified By: Classified by: Polcouns Craig Karp for reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d). ¶1. (U) Summary: In the wake of the massive demonstration against Israeli actions in Gaza that took place in Rabat on January 4th, estimated to have numbered between 50 and 100 thousand Moroccans, there have been sporadic but smaller demonstrations throughout the country over the last week. These have coalesced to be led by a combination of leftist and Islamist groups. Thus far, public anger is palpable but appears to have been confined to peaceful demonstrations and other non-violent protests. End Summary. ¶2. (U) There was a demonstration by Moroccan lawyers which numbered in the hundreds yesterday in Rabat. Also, the "Moroccan Association for the Support of Palestinians and Iraqis," i.e., Rabat-based NGO which called for the ref January 4th demonstration and led by the Kalid Sufiani, who is well connected in Moroccan NGO and Islamist circles, called for a "children's demonstration" in support of the children of Gaza in Rabat on Sunday, January 11th. Hundreds of children, or more, from Rabat, Casablanca, and neighboring regions are expected to participate. ¶3. (U) Spontaneous school and university student protests continue around the country. An American in Marrakech reports the University there has been closed due to protests. She conveyed an unconfirmed report that a student died in the protests, but this has not been noted in the press. At an intra-city semi-pro basketball match, Royal adviser Andre Azulay, a Moroccan Jew who is a sometime liaison with Israel, was forced to leave the arena due to shouted protests from fans. This is the only incident we have heard of where there has been any hint of anti-Semitism. Interestingly, the Islamist PJD-affiliated daily Tajdid prominently featured criticism of Israel by two anti-Zionist Moroccan Jews. ¶4. (U) In the political realm, a group of opposition political parties, including Islamist-inspired Party of Justice and Development (PJD),Popular Movement, Constitutional Union, and the Unified Left, delivered a letter of protest over Israeli actions in Gaza to the United Nations Development Program Resident Director Mourad Wahbah this morning. The Embassy has received similar letters from Human Rights organizations. The PJD informed the International Republican Institute that it would not cooperate with U.S. organizations while the carnage continued. ¶5. (U) At the same time, demonstrations called for across the Muslim world today by prominent Egyptian Sheikh Yusuf Kardawi, to commence after Friday prayers, were apparently ignored by the Moroccan public. We know of no sizable demonstrations that took place today in response to Kardawi's "day of anger" appeal. Kardawi's message was probably dampened by state-influenced sermons delivered by Imams across Morocco at today's prayers, which called for donations for medical supplies for the Gaza Palestinians (Note: Morocco received and began admitting over 200 injured Palestinians into two prominent Rabat hospitals today for treatment of injuries they sustained in Gaza. King Mohammed VI also promised and unspecified amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza). ¶6. (U) The Government has made its views clear by allowing protests and authorizing participation while keeping security forces visible to deter disorder. One of Morocco's most senior security officials, who had managed police controls on last Sunday's demonstrations, told us that when the crowd began chanting support to the Palestinians and against Israel, he found himself joining in. ¶7. (C) Comment: Since the January 8th USG abstention on the UN Security Council resolution, criticism of the U.S. has somewhat abated. There have been no violent acts directed against U.S. facilities or personnel to date, although a protest of a few hundred people is scheduled to take place near the Consulate tomorrow evening. ***************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ***************************************** Riley