A Moroccan activist who criticized her country’s ties to Israel was given a five-year prison sentence

Abdul Rahman Zankad, a Moroccan activist, received a five-year prison sentence for his criticism of Morocco’s efforts to normalize relations with Israel. After being detained in March due to his Facebook remarks concerning Morocco’s diplomatic relations with Israel and Israel’s Gaza conflict, Zankad was accused of inciting and insulting a constitutional institution.

Additionally, a punishment of 50,000 Moroccan dirhams ($5,000) was issued by the court ruling. Citing unfounded allegations, civil liberties organizations criticized the fairness of the trial.

Morocco is currently seeing widespread pro-Palestinian protests, where participants are calling for the reversal of normalization and denouncing Israel and its backers.

The United States and Israel recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, and in 2020, Morocco’s relations with Israel were established as part of the Abraham Accords.