In Tangier, the participation of PJD members in a solidarity march for Palestine sparked a strong reaction from the Moroccan Front for Support of Palestine and Against Normalization, largely led by Al Adl wal Ihsane (AWI). This incident reignites deep divisions between the two Islamist movements, stemming from longstanding rivalries and disagreements over Morocco's normalization with Israel. The participation of Justice and Development Party (PJD) members in a pro-Palestine solidarity march on Saturday, March 29, in Tangier has drawn sharp criticism from the Moroccan Front for Support of Palestine and Against Normalization. This collective, largely led by Al Adl wal Ihsane (AWI), strongly condemned the presence of PJD representatives, holding the party responsible for Morocco's normalization of relations with Israel. The Weight of Normalization in the Dispute The tension dates back to December 22, 2020, when then-Prime Minister and PJD leader Saad-Eddine El Othmani signed the Morocco–United States–Israel tripartite declaration in Rabat. This agreement officially restored diplomatic ties between Rabat and Tel Aviv, putting the PJD, which was in power at the time, at odds with its historically pro-Palestinian stance. Since then, the divide between the PJD and AWI has only deepened. When the Front was established in March 2021, the PJD was deliberately excluded—officially due to its role in the normalization deal. Notably, former PJD leader Abdelilah Benkirane initially backed the agreement in 2020, only to reverse his stance after returning to lead the party in October 2021. A Longstanding Rivalry Between AWI and the PJD Even before the normalization fallout, tensions had long existed between the two Islamist movements over the Palestinian issue. AWI consistently refused to participate in events organized by the PJD or its affiliates, such as the Unity and Reform Movement (MUR) and the Moroccan Initiative for Support and Advocacy. In turn, the PJD excluded AWI from meetings with Hamas leaders visiting Morocco, including Khalid Mechaal in 2017 and Ismail Haniyeh in 2021. On the ground, these divisions are evident in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The AWI-backed Front consistently mobilizes large crowds in cities across Morocco, while the PJD struggles to rally significant numbers. This was evident on the day of the Tangier march, as the PJD's parallel demonstration in Rabat saw notably lower attendance. The Tangier incident underscores how the Palestinian issue remains a major fault line between AWI and the PJD, reflecting deep-rooted rivalries that extend beyond the debate over normalization with Israel.
