Moroccans protest Israel's offensive in Gaza and take aim at Trump

RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Tens of thousands of Moroccans on Sunday protested Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza, putting fury toward U.S. President Donald Trump near the center of their grievances.

In the largest protest Morocco has seen in months, demonstrators denounced Israel, the United States and their own government. Some stepped on Israeli flags, held banners showing slain Hamas leaders and waved posters juxtaposing Trump alongside displaced Palestinians fleeing their homes.

Organizers condemned Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed since Israel renewed air and ground strikes last month, aimed at pressuring Hamas to release remaining hostages.

Such protests have erupted across the Middle East and North Africa, where leaders typically worry about demonstrations undermining domestic stability. Pro-Palestinian rallies were also staged this weekend in the capitals of Tunisia and Yemen as well as in Morocco's most populous city Casablanca.

In countries that have historically aligned with the U.S., anti-Trump backlash has emerged as a theme. Demonstrators in Rabat on Sunday condemned his proposal to displace millions of Palestinians to make way for the redevelopment of Gaza. as well as the U.S. efforts to pursue pro-Palestinian activists.

Still, many Moroccans said they saw Trump’s policies as mostly consistent with his predecessor, Joe Biden’s.

“(Trump) has made the war worse,” said Mohammed Toussi, who travelled from Casablanca with his family to protest.

“Biden hid some things but Trump has shown it all,” he added, likening their positions but not their messaging.

Protestors, Toussi said, remain angry about Morocco’s 2020 decision to normalize ties with Israel.

Abdelhak El Arabi, an adviser to Morocco’s former Islamist prime minister, said the reasons Moroccans were protesting had grown throughout the war. He predicted popular anger would continue until the war ends.

“It’s not a war, Gaza is getting erased from the earth,” the 62-year-old Tamesna resident said.

Demonstrations have included a range of groups, including the Islamist association al Adl Wal Ihsan. Moroccan authorities tolerate most protests, but have arrested some activists who have rallied in front of businesses or foreign embassies or implicated the monarchy in their complaints.

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Most have since been released in ceasefire agreements and other deals. More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed as part of Israel’s offensive, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t say whether those killed are civilians or combatants. The war has left most of Gaza in ruins, and at its height displaced around 90% of the population.

Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Protesters gather outside the U.S. Embassy to condemn U.S., British, and Israeli military actions in Palestine, Yemen, and Syria, Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Tunis. (AP Photo/Ons Abid) f

Protesters demonstrate outside the U.S. embassy to condemn military actions in Palestine, Yemen, and Syria, Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Tunis. (AP Photo/Ons Abid)

Protesters demonstrate outside the U.S. embassy to condemn military actions in Palestine, Yemen, and Syria, Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Tunis. (AP Photo/Ons Abid) f

Protesters demonstrate outside the U.S. embassy to condemn military actions in Palestine, Yemen, and Syria, Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Tunis. (AP Photo/Ons Abid) f

Protesters hold a doll up during a demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy to condemn U.S., British, and Israeli military actions in Palestine, Yemen, and Syria, Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Tunis. (AP Photo/Ons Abid) f

Protesters walk on a U.S flag outside the U.S. Embassy to condemn U.S., British, and Israeli military actions in Palestine, Yemen, and Syria, Saturday, April 5, 2025 in Tunis. (AP Photo/Ons Abid) f

People take part in a demonstration in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, April 6, 2025 as they protest Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to displace Palestinians and clear the territory for development. (AP Photo)

People take part in a demonstration in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, April 6, 2025 as they protest Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to displace Palestinians and clear the territory for development. The placard in Arabic reads "Save Gaza's children." (AP Photo)

Tens of thousands take part in a demonstration in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, April 6, 2025 as they protest Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to displace Palestinians and clear the territory for development. (AP Photo)

Tens of thousands take part in a demonstration in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, April 6, 2025 as they protest Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to displace Palestinians and clear the territory for development. (AP Photo)

Tens of thousands take part in a demonstration in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, April 6, 2025 as they protest Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to displace Palestinians and clear the territory for development. (AP Photo)

People take part in a demonstration in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, April 6, 2025 as they protest Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to displace Palestinians and clear the territory for development. (AP Photo)

Tens of thousands take part in a demonstration in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, April 6, 2025 as they protest Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to displace Palestinians and clear the territory for development. (AP Photo)

Tens of thousands take part in a demonstration in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, April 6, 2025 as they protest Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to displace Palestinians and clear the territory for development. (AP Photo)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nearly a dozen fans stood outside Saturday morning, waiting for Jonathan Marchessault and his teammates to appear so they could get autographs.

It was a normal sight outside the Golden Knights practice facility, but this was at T-Mobile Arena as the Nashville Predators had their morning skate in preparation for that night's game against Vegas.

That game was Marchessault's first in that arena in an opposing uniform. One of the most beloved players in Vegas' short history — part of the inaugural team that called itself the Golden Misfits — received a rousing ovation when the 1 1/2-minute video tribute was played at the first media timeout. Marchessault then skated alone on the ice as fans chanted, “Marchy! Marchy!”

Marchessault, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL playoffs MVP in leading the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup championship two years ago, appeared to tear up during the tribute.

“I'm an emotional guy normally, so we'll see how it goes,” Marchessault said before the game. “Obviously, it's going to be an exciting time for me. It's such a great building, great organization and definitely happy for their success still. I'm not even surprised a little bit. I think the structure and the organization is so great from top to bottom.”

Marchessault scored a goal early in the third period, but the Golden Knights won 5-3 to clinch the Pacific Division title.

“It never happened scoring in ‘The Fortress’ and being that silent,” Marchessault said afterward. “It was a great atmosphere, great building. Happy to see the fans and the organization. I couldn't say more good things about top to bottom here.”

He played seven seasons with the Golden Knights and is the career leader in goals with 192 and points with 417. Marchessault, 34, had hoped to sign a new contract to stay in Vegas, but he and the club failed to reach an agreement and Nashville signed him to a five-year, $27.5 million deal.

But it has been a difficult season. Marchessault's mother died in September at 70 from a heart attack, just a day before his number was retired by the junior hockey Quebec Ramparts.

“It was a challenging year,” Marchessault said. “A lot of things. Moving a family of four, I expected it to be hard, but not that hard.”

Two of his sons were born in Las Vegas and another began playing youth hockey here.

Marchessault was such a key part of the Golden Knights' success, and it wasn't only the production by a player who delivered in many clutch moments. He was the club's emotional leader as well, who even at 5-foot-9 commanded a big presence in the locker room.

“I miss him,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I miss his competitiveness. I miss his personality in the locker room.”

This hasn't been the kind of season Marchessault hoped for, especially considering the free-agency splash the Predators made in signing not only him but Steven Stamkos, who helped lead Tampa Bay to two Cups.

The Golden Knights, meanwhile, are headed back to the playoffs with home-ice advantage for at least the first two rounds.

“The position his team is in is in a much different position than our team right now, and I think that takes away a little bit of it,” Golden Knights forward Reilly Smith said before the game. “But he’s a competitor. He’ll want to put on a good show and so will we. I expect nothing but his best effort tonight. He scored a lot of goals in this building, so we got to make sure he doesn’t get one more.”

This may be Marchessault's first time back in Vegas as an opponent, but not the first time facing the Golden Knights. The teams played twice in Nashville, splitting the games. Marchessault had an assist in the first meeting.

“It was just nice to see them,” Marchessault said. “You spend a lot of years with those guys and so much memories, so much battling through adversity together. Out of nowhere, you see them twice a year. It's unfortunate, but it's a tough business.”

Freelance writer W.G. Ramirez contributed to this report.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Nashville Predators left wing Zachary L'Heureux (68) passes to Nashville Predators center Jonathan Marchessault (81) for an assist against the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Nashville Predators center Jonathan Marchessault (81) reacts after scoring against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly (90) celebrates with Nick Blankenburg (37) and Jonathan Marchessault, right, after O'Reilly scored a goal against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 29, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)