Ahmed Yahman, president of the Moroccan Observatory Against Normalization, has stated that the elevation of diplomatic representation between Morocco and Israel to the level of full embassies and the exchange of ambassadors transcends standard diplomatic relations. He characterizes this development as part of a wider trajectory aimed at political, cultural, and symbolic penetration into Moroccan sovereignty.
In an interview with Shabab News Agency, Yahman outlined the progression of bilateral ties, noting that the relationship began with the establishment of liaison offices before advancing toward full diplomatic status. He expressed concern that current rhetoric and factual developments target the symbolic and historical dimensions of the nation. To illustrate his point, he cited previous statements by Lona Fisher, the former director of the Israeli Liaison Office in Rabat. Fisher had asserted that the office would not function merely as a traditional embassy but rather as a “home for every Israeli in the world.” Yahman argued that such declarations, alongside narratives describing Morocco as Jewish land or the holy kingdom of the Children of Israel, raise serious questions regarding the true nature of the ongoing normalization process.
Yahman firmly rejected the use of the Western Sahara issue as a justification for normalizing relations with Israel. He emphasized that the Sahara and Moroccan sovereignty are not bargaining chips to be traded with any foreign power. Instead, he highlighted that Palestine, Jerusalem, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque hold a special place in the hearts of broad sectors of the Moroccan populace. This sentiment was reflected in recent protests and marches held in various Moroccan cities, which served as expressions of opposition to normalization efforts.
Describing the current trajectory as extending beyond mere diplomatic normalization to what he termed “normalization of influence, discourse, and infiltration,” Yahman called on Moroccan authorities to halt the normalization path. He urged the closure of the Israeli Liaison Office and the termination of forms of cooperation that he believes compromise national sovereignty. Furthermore, he appealed to political forces, trade unions, human rights organizations, and civil society groups within Morocco to continue their mobilization against normalization. This call comes amidst an ongoing internal debate concerning the nature and future of Moroccan-Israeli relations.
