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Morocco's World Cup streak brings a joyful Arab embrace as well as Africa

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Palestinians wave their national flag as they watch a live broadcast of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Morocco and Portugal played in Qatar, in Gaza City Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair, File)

It's a rare moment in the Middle East when the public's voice roars louder than those of the governments. But Morocco's surprise string of wins at the World Cup in Qatar have stirred a joy and pride among Arab fans that have, at least for a moment, eclipsed the region's many political divisions.

Perhaps most striking is the love fest between Palestinians and the Moroccan team, despite the Moroccan government's normalization of ties with Israel as part of the 2020 Abraham Accords.

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