Thousands Protest in Morocco Condemning Israel's 'Crimes Against Humanity'

A Moroccan protestor waves a large Palestinian flag during a demonstration in Casablanca as tens of thousands protest Israeli's eight day assault on the Gaza strip. (Photo by Agence France-Presse)

Thousands Protest in Morocco Condemning Israel's 'Crimes Against Humanity'

Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane leads march as cease-fire talks resume in Cairo

On the eve of Monday's cease-fire talks in Egypt, tens of thousands of Moroccans marched in support of Palestinians condemning Israel's "crimes against humanity" during the eight-day bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Over 45,000 protestors gathered in the capital city Rabat to march in solidarity with the more than 160 Gazans who were killed during the Israeli assault. According to Agence France-Presse, the march--which was led by Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, alongside other government ministers-- was a condemnation of both Israel and Washington for supporting the Jewish state during the eight-day attack which killed over 70 civilians, including 42 children and 11 women.

AFP reports that a similar demonstration was held in Morocco's largest city, Casablanca.

On Monday, peace talks are set to resume in Cairo to further discussion of the Hamas-Israeli cease-fire, which took hold last week.

According to a spokesperson for Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, today's discussions "will include topics such as opening border crossings and easing Israel's economic blockade in Gaza."

The ongoing talks come as Palestinian Authority leaders plan to renew their bid for statehood before the United Nations this week.

"All the Palestinian factions are behind us as we go tomorrow to the United Nations," Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday in a speech broadcast on Palestine TV.

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