Morocco Prioritizes National Interests in Israel Normalization, Despite Palestinian Concerns

"For the moment, we do not even have widespread opposition to the normalization of relations with Israel, neither in Morocco nor elsewhere in the Arab world. There have been demonstrations, but they have been quickly banned," he said in an interview with Sputnik. The Maghreb specialist does not believe that this is the pretext or the reason that part of the Islamists of the PJD could invoke to challenge the choices made in the recognition of Israel.

In Mr. Abderrahim’s eyes, this normalization is not a revolution for Morocco. Especially since there have already been diplomatic relations between the two countries after the Oslo Accords. These agreements had been broken off after the Israeli operations against Gaza. Moreover, the Jewish community present in the kingdom since Antiquity is the largest in North Africa.

"The Islamists of the PJD who, in Morocco, challenge this normalization do so essentially for electoral reasons, in order not to be cut off from their electorate still favorable to the Palestinian cause, with the legislative elections looming in June this year, explained the Maghreb specialist. And to recall that the Islamists who have won the legislative elections twice "were until now popular".

He also recalled that Prime Minister Saâdeddine El Othmani "has always been fundamentally opposed to this process" but has nevertheless officially approved the agreement to normalize diplomatic relations between Morocco and the Hebrew state. If he ended up accepting it, it is because this agreement contains a major advance for the kingdom. This is the American recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. Enough to prioritize a national interest over the defense of the Palestinian cause. "Regarding the Sahara, the debate differs even if it is connected. It is a crucial cause for Moroccans. Here again, we cannot put the Palestinian issue before Moroccan national interests," insists the geopolitical scientist.