Rabat - Saba:
Moroccan authorities banned a protest in the capital, Rabat, on Sunday evening against the participation of Israeli researchers in an international forum hosted by the Kingdom.
Local sources reported that security forces intervened to prevent a protest in front of the Mohammed V Theater in Rabat, called for by civil society organizations, including the Moroccan Front in Support of Palestine and the Moroccan Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, according to Anadolu Agency.
The protest was organized to protest the participation of Israeli researchers in the Fifth World Sociological Forum, held in Rabat from July 6 to 11.
Despite the ban, dozens of participants chanted slogans against Israel and in support of the Palestinian cause.
The forum is organized by the International Sociological Association, which is headquartered in Morocco and includes several universities and academic institutions from around the world.
The forum is expected to witness the participation of more than 4,500 researchers from approximately 100 countries.
Participants in the protest criticized the scheduling of approximately 17 interventions by Israeli researchers at the forum, while the organizers did not immediately comment.
At the end of last May, the International Sociological Association decided to suspend the membership of the Israeli Sociological Association, citing its "failure to take a position condemning the tragic situation in Gaza." However, this does not necessarily preclude the participation of university representatives from the occupying entity in the forum.
This move comes against the backdrop of widespread rejection by academics and human rights activists of the occupying entity's participation in the association's international forum, and their announcement of their withdrawal due to Israeli participation.
Since October 7, 2023, the enemy, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
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