In solidarity with Gaza, 102 demonstrations in support of Morocco and Algeria suspend major festivals

The Algerian Ministry of Culture announced on Friday the postponement of all major art festivals scheduled for this summer, in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been subjected to a devastating Israeli war since October 7, 2023.

A statement by the Algerian Ministry of Culture and Arts said: "In light of the escalating horror of the massacres committed by the criminal Zionist forces and the war of genocide (on the Gaza Strip), the Ministry of Culture and Arts has decided to postpone all major artistic festivals that were scheduled for this summer."

The Ministry of Culture organizes major artistic festivals every summer, hosted by major singers inside Algeria and from the Arab world, such as the “Timgad” Festival in Batna Governorate in the east of the country, and “Al-Kazef” in the capital, Algiers.

The ministry stated that it "will adapt other cultural and intellectual activities to the solidarity position supporting the Palestinian cause, and enhance cultural demonstrations aimed at consolidating local popular cultures and the components of national identity."

She explained that the decision "comes from Algeria's pioneering and steadfast position in support of the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian people in their legitimate, valiant and steadfast resistance in the face of Zionist brutality," adding that it also comes "in harmony with the efforts of the Algerian state, led by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to support the oppressed Palestinian people in their land," according to the statement.

In neighboring Morocco, the Moroccan Committee for Supporting the Nation's Issues announced that it organized 102 demonstrations in 40 cities on Friday, the 40th Friday, in solidarity with Gaza against the ongoing Israeli war on the Strip.

The non-governmental organization said in a statement: “Continuing the path of struggle and solidarity with the Palestinian people who engaged in the Battle of the Flood of Al-Aqsa in defense of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Moroccan people went out in 102 demonstrations in 40 cities in response to the organization’s call.”

The Authority pointed out that these demonstrations came on the 40th "Friday of Rage", and the demonstrators in these forms of protest expressed their condemnation of the genocidal massacres practiced by Israel. The participants also denounced the silence and complicity of the international community towards the violations that are taking place against the Palestinian people, according to the statement.

Since October 7, Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza with American support, leaving more than 126,000 Palestinian martyrs and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing amid massive destruction and famine that has claimed the lives of dozens of children.

Tel Aviv continues the war, ignoring the UN Security Council resolutions to stop it immediately, and the International Court of Justice orders to take measures to prevent acts of genocide and improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.