Moroccan MP criticises his party over Israel normalisation, freezes membership

Moroccan MP criticises his party over Israel normalisation, freezes membership
El Idrissi criticised Prime Minister Saad Eddine Al-Othmani's stance on what he called “normalisation with the occupation”.
2 min read
13 February, 2021
Rabat's normalisation with Israel has attracted domestic criticism [Getty]
A Moroccan MP for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) slammed his party for what he described as the recent "catastrophic" shifts in its attitudes, particularly after Rabat's normalisation with Israel.

Abouzaid el Mokrie el Idrissi in a Zoom video said he froze his party membership and highlighted the need to address prominent issues, including Palestine, upholding the Arabic language, and maintaining credibility in the eyes of the electorate.

"We don't want conflict with anyone or conflict, but we want to save the ship of the homeland," he said.

El Idrissi criticised Prime Minister Saad Eddine Al-Othmani's stance on what he called "normalisation with the occupation", stressing the need to reverse the policy, and said that instead of opposing the occupation, the government simply attacked those who criticised the normalisation.

"I regret to inform you that I have to freeze my membership of the party until there is a National Council meeting, to discuss the recent dramatic shifts in the positions of the party leadership, which I consider to be one of the most serious issues that represent the core of the party's reference and prestige," he said.

Donald Trump's administration announced the normalisation of relations between Israel and Morocco on December 10, in exchange for Washington recognising Rabat's sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara.

El-Othmani said last month he rejects accusations that his government has betrayed Palestinian rights.

"I am surprised by those who attack the party, accusing it of changing its position. We reject the attacks and any questioning of the party's position and Morocco's position regarding the struggle of the Palestinian people," he said.

Israeli Education Minister, Yoav Galant, on Thursday agreed with his Moroccan counterpart, Said Amzazi, to start an educational exchange programme.

Galant thanked Amzazi for Rabat's decision to "include Jewish heritage and history in the Moroccan education curriculum", following the normalisation agreement.

Rabat and Tel Aviv signed an agreement last month to establish direct flights between the two countries.

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