Thousands march in Morocco against US embassy in Jerusalem

Protesters chanted "Death to Israel" as they marched through the streets of Casablanca

1 min read

20 May, 2018

Protesters stage a demonstration in support of Gaza and against the US embassy move [Getty]

More than 10,000 Moroccans protested in Casablanca on Sunday against the new US embassy in Jerusalem.

Chanting "Death to Israel", the marchers carried Palestinian flags and placards that read "Al Quds (Jerusalem) Palestine's eternal capital". Both men and women were represented, but marched separately, reported Reuters.

US President Donald Trump reversed years of US policy with the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The new embassy opened in the contested city on 14 May, at a ceremony attended by US dignitaries, as Israeli soldiers killed at least 60 Palestinians who protested near the Gaza border.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest obstacles to forging a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem, captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war, as their capital.

The Casablanca protest had been called by a coalition of four parties including the Islamist opposition group al-Adl Wal Ihsan, seen as Morocco's most influential opposition group in rallying supporters on the street.