Former Moroccan Prime Minister Abdul-Ilah Benkirane Criticizes the Sudden Deal and the Divisions Within His Party After the Normalization Agreement

During an interview on the Al Jazeera program “Al-Muqabala,” Benkirane openly expressed that neither he nor the leadership of the PJD were informed in advance about the normalization deal, which took place in December 2020, marking a historic shift in Morocco’s foreign policy. Benkirane’s remarks shed light on a deep sense of surprise and disarray within the party, which had previously maintained a firm stance against normalizing relations with the Zionist entity.

A Shocking Betrayal

Benkirane recounted the moment when the agreement was made public, describing it as a “shock” not only to the PJD members but also to the broader Moroccan public. “None of us, including myself, knew about this signing beforehand,” he said. “We were all taken by surprise, and we expected Saadeddine Othmani to come and explain the circumstances behind this decision, but he did not do so.”

Benkirane, who served as Morocco’s Prime Minister from 2011 to 2017, revealed that he did not personally question Othmani about the rationale behind the decision. Instead, he took to public forums, raising the issue in the media, which he described as an important yet uncomfortable step in seeking clarity.

Internal Division and Party Strain

Benkirane further acknowledged the severe strain the deal caused within his party, noting that it contributed to significant internal divisions. While the PJD had historically been outspoken in its opposition to normalization, the unexpected signing of the agreement by Othmani, who was then heading the government, created a rift among the party’s ranks.

The internal friction was palpable as members of the PJD struggled to reconcile their principles with the new political reality. Benkirane emphasized that the party’s stance had remained unwavering: “The Justice and Development Party is against normalization, and this position will persist regardless of the circumstances.” He pointed out that the party had formally reaffirmed its anti-normalization position through the National Council, which rejected the agreement in no uncertain terms.

Call for Othmani’s Departure

The former Prime Minister did not shy away from criticizing his successor, Saadeddine Othmani, for the lack of consultation and disregard for internal party cohesion. Benkirane suggested that the situation could have been avoided had Othmani listened to his advice and stepped down before the agreement was signed. “I believed that Dr. Othmani should have heeded my advice and resigned from his position before we reached this outcome,” Benkirane stated, underscoring his disappointment with how the situation was handled.