“Taza Before Gaza” Tops Social Media Trends in Morocco

ALDAR/

Moroccan social media platforms have witnessed a wave of reactions following recent statements by former Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, which many deemed offensive and inappropriate—particularly in the context of his criticism of activists’ and citizens’ priorities regarding the Palestinian cause.

The controversial remarks sparked widespread public outrage and led to the launch of the hashtag #Taza_Before_Gaza, which quickly climbed to the top of trending topics in Morocco, alongside other slogans such as #Morocco_First.

These hashtags conveyed a strong message: a call for prioritizing national issues and addressing the concerns of neglected Moroccan regions—especially cities like Taza—before focusing on international matters, regardless of their legitimacy or moral weight. Many activists felt that Benkirane’s comments reflected a disconnect from the public’s real needs and criticized his use of an emotionally charged tone that they considered unworthy of a seasoned political figure.

This controversy has also reignited broader debates about balancing solidarity with global causes—such as the Palestinian issue—and the urgent need to focus on domestic development, especially in critical areas like healthcare, education, infrastructure, and employment, particularly in marginalized and underserved regions across Morocco.