The Price of Normalization: PJD Leader Admits Regret Over Israel Deal
Rabat - Tensions flared at the "We Stand With Gaza" rally on Sunday when PJD Secretary-General Abdelilah Benkirane openly expressed regret over the 2020 normalization deal with Israel.
In a surprising turn, Benkirane acknowledged that his party had made a "mistake" by signing the Israel-Morocco normalization agreement, eliciting cheers from the impassioned crowd.
Taking a confrontational stance, the PJD chief defended Palestinian resistance as the sole path to freedom. He praised Hamas as the "spearhead" of the Arab nation, while condemning Israel's aggression and its aspirations to conquer Mecca and North Africa.
Benkirane labeled Moroccans sympathetic to Israel as traitors, harkening back nostalgically to King Hassan II's unwavering support for Palestine. "Today, we find those attempting to alter our beliefs," he cautioned.
The boisterous rally underscored the tensions arising from Morocco's seismic policy shift toward Israel. While pragmatists have embraced normalization, hardliners like Benkirane remain staunchly opposed.
His impassioned speech reflects an identity crisis within the PJD. Critics may accuse Benkirane of political pandering, but his words resonated with many Moroccans who still harbor dreams of Palestinian liberation.
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