Morocco’s PM El Othmani Defends Israel Ties, Puts "Homeland Before Party"

"We are not opportunists, we assume our responsibilities. The homeland comes before the party. The resumption of these relations is a state decision, in the interest of the national cause, and it is my duty as head of government not to be a disruptor, especially on a matter of foreign policy that falls fully within the prerogatives of the head of state. This does not prevent us from having, within the PJD, our own opinions, which we have expressed," said Saâdeddine El Othmani in an interview with Jeune Afrique this week.

The leader of the Islamist party has also recently expressed his opposition to the normalization of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel. He refused to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Yaïr Lapid during his historic visit to Rabat. "Morocco will continue to support the Palestinian people at all levels," assured the Head of Government.

On May 21, Saâdeddine El Othmani, Secretary General of the PJD, had sent a letter to Ismaïl Haneyeh, President of the Hamas Political Bureau, congratulating him "on the victory of the Palestinian people and their strong resistance" against "the Zionist entity". The ceasefire agreement concluded between Israel and the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip had just come into effect. The two sides were engaged in an escalation of violence that had lasted 11 days.