Moroccan parliament moves to outlaw contacts with Israelis

A large majority of Moroccan lawmakers has proposed legislation that would outlaw any contacts with Israelis. If it is passed, even private or indirect dealings with the “Israeli entity” would become a criminal offense punishable by two to five years in prison and a heavy fine. 

Human rights groups denounced the initiative, including one Moroccan-based organization that called the bill “inhuman, anti-constitutional and antidemocratic” and suggested it was “influenced by Nazi tendencies.” 

The bill was proposed by five parties in the Moroccan House of Representatives — including that of Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane. Introduced earlier this summer, and largely unnoticed at the time, it was given the heading “Criminalizing Normalization with the Israeli Entity.”

Moroccan Parliment - Read More