With Morocco’s legislative elections scheduled for September 23, the political contest has intensified around the sensitive issue of normalization with Israel and the Palestinian cause. The dispute centers on Ahmed Al-Sharqi, owner of Global Media Group, who announced his support for the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) and its leadership coordinator, Fatima Zahra Al-Mansouri. This endorsement has become a focal point in a heated exchange between Al-Mansouri and former Prime Minister Abdellah Benkirane, leader of the Justice and Development Party (PJD).
Denial of Personal Connection
Speaking at an election rally in the Rehamna region on Sunday, Al-Mansouri explicitly stated that she does not know Al-Sharqi personally. She confirmed that she had never met him nor spoken to him by phone. She rejected any attempt to link her political stance to the views expressed by the media proprietor, particularly regarding a controversial article titled “We Are All Israeli.” Al-Mansouri questioned the logic of holding candidates responsible for every individual who supports their party, asking, “Did we know everyone who supported PAM and its 1.4 million voters in the 2021 elections?”
She emphasized that her sole agenda is serving Morocco, describing herself as a Moroccan by descent and expressing pride in her national identity. According to her, attempts to associate her name with Al-Sharqi’s writings aim to tarnish her image and cast doubt on her patriotism.
Benkirane’s Accusations
Abdellah Benkirane escalated the rhetoric by framing Al-Sharqi’s support as a significant political liability. He urged Al-Mansouri to distance herself from the media group owner, warning that failure to disavow him could lead observers to view her as an “Israeli candidate” for prime minister. Benkirane referenced Al-Sharqi’s past articles defending Israeli positions during the war on Gaza and criticizing the International Criminal Court’s actions against Israeli officials. He argued that accepting support from figures with such pro-Israel stances compromises the candidate’s national standing.
Political Stakes
The conflict highlights a broader struggle over defining national loyalty in Moroccan politics. While Benkirane treats Al-Sharqi’s backing as evidence of alignment with normalization policies, Al-Mansouri maintains that political support does not equate to ideological adoption. The debate underscores how the Palestinian issue remains a potent tool for mobilizing public sentiment, potentially shifting focus away from economic and social issues toward questions of identity and foreign policy alignment.
