Protesting in solidarity with Palestine still counts for something

Today life expectancy in Gaza is 40 years and six months. In 2023 life expectancy in Gaza was 75 years and five months. Staggering statistics such as these; the live streaming of a genocide, of hospitals, schools and tents being hit in Israeli missile attacks, are having agalvanising and electrifying effect throughout the Arab World and beyond.

And this week, all eyes have been on Morocco as a series of peaceful and loud protests tookplace in Casablanca and Tangiers. News had reached dockworkers at both ports that a Maersk liner had docked carrying parts for Israeli F-35 warplanes that have been used in repeated airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip. These parts were destined for Israel. Parts for the US supplied F-35s are supplied by a number of countries, and each of these countries has a solemn duty to abide by the States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT. They  are required to prevent both direct and indirect transfers of military equipment and technology, including parts and components, where there is an overriding risk that such equipment and technology could be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law (IHL) or international human rights law.  

In Tangier, an estimated 1,500 demonstrators marched from the city centre toward the port, chanting “No genocidal weapons in Moroccan waters” and for good measure they called for a full severing of diplomatic ties with Israel. Sion Assidon, a veteran activist and founder of Morocco's BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement, said; "We sent a letter to the Moroccan government detailing the ship's contents and how dangerous this transfer is. We are urging authorities to intervene and investigate”. 

And what began as a demonstration moved rapidly to becoming a full-blown labour dispute with dockers refusing to unload any of the supplies and move them to another Maersk ship at Tangier Med Port. The dockers union clearly believes that it has widespread public support, just as it also believes that it is upholding international law. They were supported by the United National Special Raporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese. She said,“Full solidarity with Morocco’s brave port workers refusing to load a ship carrying parts for the planes for Israel’s genocide in Gaza. As Governments and corporations continue to profit off a genocide, I hope that workers all over the World take inspiration from the Moroccan people”. 

Meanwhile, across the Strait of Gibraltar, similar protests were held at the port of Algeciras in Spain last week. Organised by Cádiz for Palestine, the demonstratorscondemned Maersk's alleged involvement in the transport of military equipment to Israel and called on the Spanish government to ban vessels from docking in Algeciras, Valencia, and Barcelona.

The Moroccan protests and labour action are likely to embolden people elsewhere, and further ramp up the enormous pressures being exerted on governments to at last begin to take firm action against Israel. Before it is too late for the Palestinians.

*Mark Seddon is a former Speechwriter to UN Secretary-General Ban ki moon & former Adviser to the Office of the President of the UN General Assembly