Recent calls by American researcher Michael Rubin for a “second Green March” toward the occupied cities of Ceuta and Melilla have revived a sensitive issue long handled with diplomatic caution, given its historical and geopolitical complexity, as well as firm positions within civil society.
The comments, reflecting Rubin’s provocative tone in U.S. policy circles, draw on the symbolism of the Green March in a different context and are seen at first glance as an unusual form of support for Morocco’s stance.
Yet, Yahya Yahya, a civil society figure calling for Spain’s withdrawal from Ceuta, Melilla, and nearby islands, dismissed this symbolic backing and pointed out the symbolic meaning of Eid Al Fitr, which he said reflects the strong bond between the two cities and the rest of the homeland.
Yahya said that religious life in Ceuta and Melilla during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr reflects a clear sense of belonging to Morocco.
He described this spiritual dimension as a practical response to attempts to question or reframe the issue from outside, noting that these practices align with what is commonly referred to as Moroccan Islam.
Yahya added that Moroccan civil society has consistently maintained its advocacy on Ceuta, Melilla, and nearby islands, with growing momentum in recent years.
These efforts, he said, have moved beyond rhetoric into concrete actions, particularly among Moroccans living in the cities, underscoring their attachment to Morocco rather than Spain.
Yahya criticized Rubin’s remarks, saying he “lacks tact in presenting the idea of a second Green March as his own, noting that it has long been discussed within Moroccan activist circles.”
He also questioned who is entitled to invoke national memory and use its symbols outside their sovereign context, stressing that this is not for Rubin or any other foreign actor.
The activist said that Rubin’s idea seeks to use a purely Moroccan issue within external political calculations, which he deemed unacceptable.
He called on international think tanks to avoid exploiting national issues, and instead provide balanced and respectful analysis without attempting to shape narratives or advance external agendas.
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