Latest news with #Ezzarghani
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
For Israel, Normalization Isn't Enough; They Demand Blind Devotion
Marrakech – The vicious assault on Ambassador Youssef El Amrani, Morocco's representative to the United States since October 2023, and his wife Asma Lamrabet exposes the grotesque reality of what Israel's most rabid supporters truly want: not peaceful coexistence, not mutual respect, but Morocco's complete and utter submission. Moroccan sovereignty cannot be left undefended when it is trampled under the guise of 'friendship' with Israel. The brazenness of this attack on Morocco's diplomatic independence is an affront so egregious it constitutes nothing less than neo-colonial aggression against the kingdom's sovereignty, revealing the colonial mindset still festering beneath the veneer of some 'friendships.' Let's examine what sparked this firestorm. In his JFeed article 'Does an Anti-Semitic Family Represent Morocco in DC?', Mustapha Ezzarghani – president of the Moroccan-Israeli Friendship Association, an American organization 'working to strengthen relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of Israel' – launches a direct assault on Morocco's ambassador's character and competence. This is the same man who shamelessly penned 'This Moroccan says, yes, we are all Israelis' for The Times of Israel, collecting pats on the head from his handlers while betraying his nation's dignity. That piece is steeped in a duplicity and opportunism that lays bare a sinister truth: for these lobbyists, normalization is worthless unless it comes with complete, unquestioning devotion to Israel's every action. A weaponized campaign of defamation 'El Amrani has failed to deliver meaningful results for Moroccan diplomacy thus far,' Ezzarghani claims. 'Despite being in the US for over a year, El Amrani has declined to engage with Moroccan Jewish community leaders and organizations advocating for stronger Moroccan-Israeli relations. Under his leadership, the Moroccan Embassy in Washington no longer maintains the open-door policy it once had for Jewish organizations and groups promoting ties between Morocco and Israel.' He then extends his attack to Lamrabet, claiming her social media posts about Gaza reflect 'anti-Israeli sentiments and anti-Semitic views,' deliberately conflating criticism of Israel's actions with hatred of Jews. Let's call this what it is: a political assassination attempt. By hurling the nuclear accusation of 'anti-Semitism' at Morocco's ambassador and his wife, Ezzarghani isn't engaging in criticism – he's executing a carefully calculated character execution. The accusation of anti-Semitism, wielded like a bludgeon against El Amrani, is nothing short of diplomatic blackmail. In Washington's corridors of power, such accusations aren't merely words; they're professional death sentences, designed to exterminate careers and silence voices with ruthless efficiency. That Ezzarghani deploys this weapon against a fellow Moroccan exposes his true allegiance. How ironic that this assault comes draped in the banner of America's First Amendment freedoms – a nation that has prided itself for over 250 years on protecting free expression – while seeking to deny those same rights to Ambassador El Amrani and Lamrabet. The free speech these lobbyists claim to cherish apparently extends only to those who parrot their preferred narrative, enforcing a rigid pro-Israel orthodoxy that has become almost a civic religion in parts of the United States. The hit piece published on JFeed – a propaganda outlet masquerading as journalism – radiates fascistic intolerance. Its author, Ezzarghani, has revealed himself as nothing more than a puppet dancing to Tel Aviv's tune while wrapping himself in Morocco's flag. His attack on El Amrani appeared in a publication founded in 2023 by right-wing religious Zionist Eli Kutilef, a platform dedicated to promoting the extremist vision of 'Greater Israel' among English-speaking Jewish communities. Hypocrisy and the assault on Moroccan independence The staggering audacity of this assault cannot be overstated. El Amrani serves at the pleasure of King Mohammed VI, appointed under Article 55 of the 2011 Constitution (the same constitution that recognizes the Hebraic component as part of Morocco's national identity). To attack him is to attack the sovereign decision-making of the monarchy and, by extension, the Moroccan state itself. This is not criticism – it's subversion masquerading as concern. This attack doesn't just target one diplomat; it's a direct assault on the sovereign decision-making authority of the monarchy. It spits in the face of Morocco's constitutional order and mocks the nation's independence. This is its unmistakable message: Morocco's King cannot be trusted to appoint his own representatives without Israeli approval. What ought to gall every principled observer is the brazen hypocrisy at play. The accusation itself is so patently absurd it would be laughable if it weren't so dangerous. El Amrani has exhaustively demonstrated his commitment to Morocco's Jewish heritage. He's participated in Hilloula celebrations in Florida, where he spoke about the strength of bonds between the Moroccan Jewish community and their original country. He attended Mimouna festivities in Washington, spotlighting Morocco's traditions of cultural and religious diversity. Just this past May, at a conference organized by a major Jewish coalition, El Amrani publicly stated that 'Morocco teaches the Holocaust in its school curricula,' earning enthusiastic applause. Yet these facts are inconvenient obstacles to the lobby's agenda, so they're conveniently ignored in favor of fabricated grievances. But the truth remains: These aren't the actions of an anti-Semite but of a diplomat faithfully representing Morocco's nuanced position. As for Lamrabet, Ezzarghani's attempt to weaponize her personal views on Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe reveals the totalitarian mindset at work. The attempt to pillory her for expressing human sympathy for Gaza's suffering children is reprehensible. This distinguished academic, physician, and feminist has spent her career advocating for religious reform and interfaith dialogue. She's even facilitated connections with female Jewish religious leaders like the French rabbi Pauline Bebe. The suggestion that her personal views on the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza somehow disqualify her husband from diplomatic service – and now finds herself smeared for the crime of basic human empathy – exposes a deep-seated authoritarian litmus test in which absolute, uncritical fealty to Israel is the sole admissible stance. Here again, the message is chillingly clear: in the eyes of these extremists, even tears shed for dying Palestinian children are rebranded as evidence of anti-Semitism. Let's cut through the smokescream. This calculated conflation of anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism is intellectual terrorism. This isn't about anti-Semitism – it's about enforcing pro-Zionism as the only permissible stance. Judaism is a rich, ancient faith tradition; Zionism is a modern political ideology. Criticizing Israel's policies is no more anti-Semitic than criticizing Saudi Arabia is Islamophobic. We must not conflate Judaism with Zionism, just as we reject equating Islam with Islamism. These deliberate conflations serve only those who wish to silence legitimate criticism behind accusations of bigotry. From opportunism to diplomatic colonization The most revolting aspect of this attack is its naked opportunism. By linking Trump's return to the White House with Morocco's diplomatic positioning, Ezzarghani shows his true colors. He cynically suggests that America's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara – a recognition based on historical legitimacy and strategic partnership – somehow depends on the Moroccan ambassador's willingness to prostrate himself before pro-Israeli lobbies. This isn't just false; it's a reprehensible attempt to hold Morocco's territorial integrity hostage to foreign interests, a dangerous attempt to hijack the country's foreign policy. What we're witnessing is nothing less than diplomatic colonization by proxy – a new form of imperialism where nations are expected to surrender not just resources but their very voice on the world stage. These self-appointed gatekeepers, these self-appointed commissars demand not just normalization but absolute servitude. They expect Morocco to surrender its independent voice on the world stage and parrot Israeli positions without question. They expect Morocco to function as Israel's ventriloquist dummy, Rabat's diplomatic corps reduced to mindless parrots regurgitating whatever position serves Tel Aviv's interests. They seek to hollow out Moroccan diplomacy, turning seasoned ambassadors into lifeless props, their only function to mouth the lines scripted in Israel's foreign policy apparatchiks. The attack on El Amrani and Lamrabet exposes the lobby's three-pronged strategy of domination: First, Morocco must not merely normalize but 'love Israel' with cult-like devotion; second, even the private thoughts and personal sympathies of diplomats' families must be policed for ideological purity; and third, Morocco's representation in Washington must pass a loyalty test administered not by Rabat but by fanatical pro-Israeli interests. Drawing the line for Morocco's sovereignty This is imperial arrogance of the highest order. It betrays a colonizer's patronage, subject-master mentality that views Morocco not as a sovereign partner but as a client state to be controlled. The underlying assumption – that Moroccans cannot be trusted to determine their own foreign policy without supervision – is profoundly racist and infantilizing. The real insult lies in the presumption that Morocco requires foreign custodians – that its seasoned diplomats are incapable of defending the kingdom's national interests without the leash and oversight of self-appointed overlords. This patronizing attitude reveals the colonial mindset still festering beneath the veneer of 'friendship.' The timing of this attack is no coincidence. According to reliable sources in Washington, Ezzarghani wasn't invited to the 26th Throne Day celebration hosted by the Moroccan embassy this year – an event that welcomed nearly 750 people, including Jews of various nationalities, several rabbis, and likely even Israelis. This reveals the petty personal grudges driving this supposedly principled stand. This isn't about policy; it's about wounded egos and thwarted self-importance. There must be a categorical rejection of any attempt to transform normalization into subjugation. Morocco must never accept a world where it is forced to present daily credentials to a lobby that sees the kingdom merely as Israel's backyard. The premise that Moroccan diplomats must sacrifice their dignity and independence to appease those who mistake normalization for submission is beyond the pale. Morocco established diplomatic relations with Israel as a sovereign choice, not as an invitation to foreign control. The country's balanced approach to the Middle East – supporting Palestinian rights while engaging with Israel – reflects its independent judgment, not a position to be dictated by external actors. It is a stance shaped by Morocco's deliberate distancing from the political entanglements of the Mashriq, as the state focuses its strategic horizon on Africa. Morocco's diplomatic relations are sovereign decisions, not concessions to be micromanaged by external interests. The nation's foreign policy isn't up for auction to the highest bidder or the loudest bully. As Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita once wisely observed, we should not be 'Palestinians more than Palestinians themselves,' and it must be added, nor should we be 'Israelis more than Israelis themselves.' Morocco's diplomatic strength lies precisely in its measured independence, its ability to speak with all sides while surrendering to none. Morocco's strength lies in its balanced approach, its independent voice, and its refusal to be anyone's puppet. The attack on Ambassador El Amrani is a test case – if it succeeds, it will embolden further encroachments on Moroccan sovereignty. Today, outside forces dictate diplomatic appointments; tomorrow, they'll dictate foreign policy entirely. Today they demand control over Morocco's diplomatic appointments; tomorrow they'll demand control over its educational curriculum, media, and domestic policy. This cancer of foreign interference will metastasize if not aggressively confronted. This insidious erosion of independence must be recognized and resisted. Support for Ambassador El Amrani and Lamrabet must be unequivocal in the face of this disgraceful smear campaign. More importantly, Morocco's inalienable right to determine its own foreign policy must be defended against any form of external coercion or blackmail. The lobbyists have shown their hand. They don't want partnership; they want vassalage. They don't seek normalization; they demand capitulation. For these self-appointed inquisitors, normalization was never the goal – it was merely the foot in the door. What they truly seek is the annihilation of Morocco's will, its transformation into a pliant satellite state that reflexively supports every Israeli action regardless of its moral or legal implications. For them, recognition isn't enough – only absolute fealty will suffice. This is the line that must not be crossed. Morocco's diplomatic independence is non-negotiable. The nation's sovereignty is not for sale. And those who attempt to dictate foreign policy through intimidation and character assassination should be recognized for what they are: enemies of Morocco's national interest masquerading as friends. Morocco will not allow self-interested operatives to hijack its foreign policy or bully its representatives. Its sovereignty is beyond negotiation, its independence is beyond purchase, and its diplomats deserve far more than to be dragged before modern-day inquisitions by those who confuse alliance with dominion. The wolves have shown their teeth. Now Morocco must show its spine. This is where the line must be drawn – not just for El Amrani and Lamrabet, but for Morocco's place in the world as a sovereign nation that charts its own course.
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Crossing the Line: Israeli Lobbyist's Dangerous Campaign Against Moroccan Diplomat
Marrakech – A recent article published on JFEED, a platform that describes itself as covering 'the latest news from Israel and the Jewish world,' represents nothing short of diplomatic blackmail against Morocco and a calculated assault on its diplomatic sovereignty, directly targeting the country's ambassador to the United States. The inflammatory piece, authored by Mustapha Ezzarghani, who identifies as the Founder and President of The Moroccan-Israeli Friendship Association (MIFA), carries the provocative title: 'Does an Anti-Semitic Family Represent Morocco in DC?' The article levels unconscionable accusations against Ambassador Youssef El Amrani and his wife, writer and physician Asma Lamrabet. Ezzarghani claims the ambassador has 'failed to deliver meaningful results for Moroccan diplomacy' and alleges that under El Amrani's leadership, 'the Moroccan Embassy in Washington no longer maintains the open-door policy it once had for Jewish organizations and groups promoting ties between Morocco and Israel.' More alarmingly, the article directly accuses both the ambassador and his wife of harboring 'anti-Israeli sentiments and anti-Semitic views,' a particularly damaging allegation in the American political landscape where such accusations can effectively end careers. The timing of this attack is particularly noteworthy – and transparently opportunistic. Ezzarghani frames his criticism within the context of Trump's return to the White House and what he describes as a 'unique opportunity for Morocco to strengthen its strategic ties with the US and Israel.' By doing so, he attempts to pressure Morocco into submitting to external influence over its diplomatic corps – an act that constitutes nothing less than foreign interference in Morocco's internal affairs. Most egregiously, Ezzarghani has the audacity to declare that El Amrani's appointment represents a 'critical misstep' that could cause Morocco to 'miss out on a moment of particularly strong geopolitical possibilities.' This maneuver effectively presumes to dictate who should represent the kingdom in Washington, constituting an unacceptable intrusion into matters that fall exclusively within Morocco's sovereign domain. Article 55 of the Moroccan Constitution clearly states that ambassadors are appointed by the King. As such, an attack on a Moroccan ambassador is, by extension, an attack on the highest authority in the country. What appears at first glance to be merely an opinion piece reveals itself upon closer examination to be a systematic attempt at diplomatic and moral assassination. The target is not just Ambassador El Amrani and his wife, but the entire Moroccan model of diplomacy and the kingdom's sovereignty in making independent diplomatic appointments. The accusations collapse under the slightest scrutiny Contrary to the narrative being pushed, the ambassador – since his appointment in October 2023 – has actively engaged in symbolic and high-level activities celebrating Moroccan Jewish heritage within the American Jewish community. His record of outreach contradicts any implication of disengagement. He attended the 'Hilloula' celebration in Florida, where he spoke about the strong ties between the Moroccan Jewish community and their original country, bringing to light the 'royal care' for the Hebraic component of Moroccan identity. El Amrani also attended the 'Mimouna' celebration in Washington, an occasion celebrating Jewish-Islamic coexistence, where he delivered speeches stressing Morocco's unique traditions in cultural and religious diversity. In a seminar organized by a major Jewish coalition just this past May, El Amrani stated that 'Morocco teaches the Holocaust in its school curricula.' That statement, regardless of its precise accuracy, demonstrates a diplomat fully aware of what Jewish memory means in American political culture. The allegations against Asma Lamrabet are equally outrageous. This respected intellectual, a member of the Academy of the Kingdom – Morocco's highest cultural institution – is known for advocating reformist readings of Islamic texts and defending women's rights in international scientific forums. Her intellectual and cultural activities are filled with events and dialogues with various religions. She was even behind communications with the first Jewish 'female rabbi,' the French 'Pauline Bebe,' convincing her to engage with Morocco. To label such a figure 'anti-Semitic' based on her humanitarian concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza represents intellectual dishonesty of the highest order. Morocco's representatives must not merely accept Israel but actively 'love' it? However, the article's most alarming feature lies not in its content alone but in what it reflects: a growing audacity among certain advocacy circles to intervene in Morocco's internal decision-making, impose loyalty tests, and exploit accusations of anti-Semitism as political weapons. Particularly insidious are the efforts to attribute to the ambassador's spouse personal views and actions that have no bearing on the ambassador's official duties. The article goes further by warning of potential reputational harm to Morocco in US media and congressional circles. In the American political context, accusations of anti-Semitism are particularly insidious. Such charges function as career-destroying weapons. When such allegations are made by a Moroccan citizen against another Moroccan diplomat, observers warn it constitutes public blackmail and an attempt to weaponize US discourse for personal or political ends. Ezzarghani, who positions himself as a civil society figure, is also the public face of MIFA – a lobbying entity operating in Washington. His attack, according to sources, stems from personal disappointment – reportedly due to not receiving an invitation to the Moroccan embassy's Throne Day celebration this year – rather than any substantive concern for national policy. Launched under the guise of advocacy, this campaign has been described by analysts as a soft coup attempt on Moroccan diplomatic sovereignty – executed through media articles and extended via back-channel pressure. It sends a dangerous message: normalization with Israel is no longer sufficient; Morocco must now demonstrate affection, or risk being defamed and accused of bigotry. Such a message has serious implications. According to analysts, targeting Morocco's ambassador in this way risks eroding national consensus around foreign policy by subjecting it to the whims of external lobbies operating from Washington and Tel Aviv. It seeks to force the kingdom into a position where it must present its credentials daily to a Moroccan-Zionist lobby in Washington – one that views Morocco not as an equal partner, but as a subordinate extension or mere backyard of Israel's strategic interests. This episode has therefore become more than a personal attack. It is a warning bell. Those who tolerate the humiliation of their representatives under the guise of 'protecting national interests' may soon wake up to find that Morocco's very decision-making apparatus has been compromised. Observers note that the promoters of slogans like 'We are all Israelis' have effectively positioned themselves as ideological enforcers in Washington, condemning not just official policy but personal thoughts, social media posts, and even unspoken beliefs that fail to enthusiastically glorify Israel's actions – particularly in Gaza. JFEED, the platform publishing this attack, was established recently in 2023 by a right-wing religious Zionist named Eli Kutilf. It targets English-speaking Jewish communities, with most of its editors based in America and Israel, and adopts a fanatical biblical vision promoting what they call the right of Jews to establish Greater Israel. The case raises broader questions about freedom of thought. As some commentators have pointed out, Washington – long seen as a city founded on the principles of liberty and protected by the First Amendment in a land that has prided itself on freedom for nearly 250 years – now risks becoming a space where opinions, posts, or even beliefs that fail to conform to pro-Israel orthodoxy are met with public condemnation. Ultimately, Morocco's diplomatic sovereignty is non-negotiable. Efforts to undermine it through intimidation or media manipulation must be recognized for what they are: a challenge to the kingdom's right to independently manage its foreign affairs, free from external coercion. Read also: Ambassador Youssef Amrani Says War on Gaza Has Frozen Cooperation Between Arab Countries, Israel
