France's Macron arrives to Morocco amid protests over French support of Israel's war on Gaza

France's President Emmanuel Macron is set to arrive in Morocco on Monday afternoon, met by both nationalist parades and pro-Palestine protests against Paris' stance on Israel's war on Gaza.

On 28 October, Rabat awoke to rows of large flags adorning its main streets, marking Macron's first visit after three years of diplomatic and political tension with Morocco. The French President will begin his visit at 5 p.m. with an official welcome ceremony at the palace of Moroccan monarch Mohammed VI.

By noon, crowds already gathered by the barricades, eager to catch a glimpse of Macron and King Mohammed VI, who were once mired in political discord and rumoured personal conflict.

"We're here to see our King—may God grant him victory—and Macron is welcome as long as he supports the Moroccan Sahara", said one spectator, referencing Paris' recent shift in policy on the disputed Western Sahara.

School buses from nearby cities have arrived in Rabat, with students excited about a rare chance to see the monarch, and maybe even a handshake, if luck is on their side.

France and Morocco have been at odds since 2021, partly due to the Pegasus spyware scandal, which implicated Macron's phone as a potential target of surveillance by the Israeli-made software.

French daily Le Monde reported that the client behind this was an unidentified Moroccan security service, though Rabat has denied the allegations. Macron's heated call to the King on the issue reportedly further strained their relationship.

Tensions escalated when France reduced visa allocations for North African countries in late 2021 and adopted an ambiguous stance on Western Sahara, aiming for a rapprochement with Algeria, a backer of the separatist Polisario Front in the disputed territory.

Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is largely controlled by Morocco but claimed by the Polisario Front, which declared a "self-defence war" in 2020 and seeks the region's independence. While the UN does not recognise Moroccan sovereignty over the territory, Morocco's autonomy plan has garnered increasing international support, including that of the UN.

Macron's visit clashes with pro-Palestine protests

Macron's visit follows an invitation from King Mohammed VI, prompted by France's recent endorsement of Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara 'within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty,' a shift that aligns Paris with Rabat amid a stalled UN-led peace process.

The three-day visit, Macron's first since 2018, will feature one-on-one talks between the two leaders, along with the signing of agreements in energy, water, education, and security.

Macron, joined by his wife Brigitte, will also meet French and Moroccan investors and speak with African students in sustainable development fields. However, the Élysée has announced no press conference for Macron in Rabat.

Hundreds are expected to protest outside the French consulate in Tangier this evening, rallying against France's support of Israel's genocide of Gaza.

"Macron is not welcome in our country for his support of Israel and his oppressive policies against pro-Palestine protests and activists", said the Moroccan Front for Palestine, a local anti-normalisation group. Macron said Israel has the right to defend itself against "terrorism" if it abides by the international rules. 

Last year, activists attempted a sit-in at the French embassy in Rabat but were dispersed by police.

The Rabat-based Moroccan Group for Palestine–another anti-normalisation group– said that Macron's visit will not interfere with their weekly Tuesday protests, which are typically held in front of Parliament. The French President is scheduled to address the Moroccan Parliament on 29 October.

France initially imposed a ban on pro-Palestine protests at the outbreak of Israel's war on Gaza, though the ruling was quickly overturned by the country's highest court. Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti has issued a circular requiring condemnation of statements framing the Hamas group as "resistance," according to Anadolu Agency.

Macron has previously stated that anti-Zionism equates to antisemitism and should be treated as a hate crime.

Yet, Macron's recent comments advocating for a halt to arms deliveries to Israel and urging Tel Aviv to comply with UN resolutions, citing Israel's foundation through the UN, have put him at odds with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.