Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi Voices Support for Palestine Amid Rising Tensions

"Free Palestine." This is the simple hashtag with which Achraf Hakimi expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian people, victims of Israeli atrocities. The message has been shared hundreds of times and has received thousands of comments. Internet users have hailed the gesture of the Moroccan international, and many have nicknamed him "Fakhr Al Arab" (Pride of the Arabs).

This post by the Moroccan player is linked to the violence that occurred on Friday evening, on the Esplanade of the Mosques between Israeli police and Palestinians, which left more than 200 injured. These are the most significant clashes in the Holy City in recent years. Despite the call for calm from the international community, the tension is also visible on the ground with the increasing number of injured.

On Sunday, May 9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in which it expressed its sadness at this violence. "Morocco, whose Sovereign His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, chairs the Al Quds Committee, considers these violations as an unacceptable act likely to stoke tensions," the statement said.