فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Fez – In a speech delivered on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in the city of Fez, Abdelilah Benkirane, former Secretary-General of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), expressed his unconditional support for Morocco in the event of a bilateral conflict with Iran, while also voicing religious solidarity with Tehran in its confrontation with Israel. Benkirane harshly criticized the Israeli state, accusing it of war crimes, and prophesied its eventual disappearance from the region.
Benkirane’s remarks came amid strong criticism of his support for Iran against Israeli aggression. In his speech, he attempted to soften his stance by balancing Moroccan national loyalty with his Islamic convictions.
Balancing Patriotism and Islamic Solidarity
Benkirane affirmed his alignment with Morocco “against any hostile power,” including Iran, but only if the dispute is bilateral between Rabat and Tehran. He clarified that Iran is not currently in direct conflict with Morocco but is engaged in a geopolitical confrontation with Israel, which is supported by the United States.
Despite this, Benkirane acknowledged “doctrinal errors and innovations” he does not share with Iran, yet expressed support for Iran “in the name of Islam,” noting that Iran “raises the banner of Islam and supports the Palestinian cause.”
Messianic Tone and Prediction of Israel’s Demise
His speech combined religious rhetoric, Islamic glorification, and apocalyptic predictions about Israel, aiming to mobilize party supporters ahead of the 2026 elections. He described Israel as a “criminal regime” based on “killing civilians, blockade, and starvation,” and predicted that this regime “has no future in the region” and will eventually be expelled, as were “the Mongols, Crusaders, and colonial powers.”
Tribute to Palestinian Resistance Figures
Benkirane also paid tribute to iconic Palestinian resistance leaders such as Yasser Arafat, Ahmed Yassin, and Abdel Aziz Rantissi, emphasizing that “the Ummah (Muslim community) is fertile and capable of producing resistant leaders despite attempts at eradication.”
Anti-Normalization and Warning Against Illusions of Defeating Iran and Hamas
He warned that “if you think destroying Iran or Hamas will solve your problem, you are deluded,” noting that “the Ummah counts more than two billion people,” sending a clear message against normalization with Israel.
These statements come amid declining electoral support for the PJD, especially following the party’s major defeat in 2021. It appears Benkirane is attempting to rally his base around major symbolic causes important to his political constituency.
