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After his controversial statements on pro-Hezbollah channel Al Mayadeen, Morocco’s minister of employment and head of PJD youth Mohamed Amekraz turned to French state-owned international news television network France24 to respond, defend and reiterate his position on resuming diplomatic ties with Israel.
Amekraz did not give up on his opinion voiced on December 12. «My statements (on normalization) reflect the position of the PJD youth movement. It is an honorable position, which is consistent with the national one on this issue».
Speaking to France24 on Wednesday, Amekraz avoided answering a question on whether he would resign or not following the criticism that targeted him after speaking to the pro-Hezbollah channel.
The Minister defended his choice to speak to Al Mayadeen, stressing that the channel «has a special audience that does not watch the Moroccan media». «This public hears the voice of Moroccans and knows us more and knows the position of Moroccans regarding the Palestinian question», he argued. «I did not send a political message» by choosing this channel, he argued to defend himself.
Amekraz and El Othmani
Amekraz refused to admit that the PJD «is heading towards a political earthquake» because of its official Moroccan-Israeli reunion, arguing that within his party «there are institutions that make decisions and that in the end, all members are required to comply with it».
He explained that his formation «experienced more serious crises and emerged stronger». He announced that «the next party congress will be an opportunity for debates, discussions and accountability». Said meeting is scheduled for late 2021 or early 2022, depending on the party's results in the 2021 legislative elections.
The minister also defended his hierarchical superior in the party and in the government. «No, the secretary general of the PJD never said that normalization is good news». Tuesday in an interview with Al Jazeera, the head of government Saadeddine El Othmani called the resumption of relations with Israel an «opening». He was heavily criticized, especially by Islamist movement Al Adl wal Ihsane followers. «His position as head of government imposes constraints on him», said Mohamed Amekraz.
