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Morocco World
2 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
PJD Condemns Israeli Interception of Handala, Moroccan Journalist Detention
Rabat — The Justice and Development Party (PJD) issued a statement today, condemning the Israeli Occupation Forces' (IOF) illegal interception of the humanitarian ship Handala and the detention of its passengers, including Moroccan journalist Mohamed El Bakkali. In El Bakkali's pre-recorded message before the interception of the Handala ship, he called on the Moroccan government and human rights organizations to secure their release. 'If you are seeing this video, the Handala ship has been intercepted by Israeli Forces… and most likely, we have been abducted and are being illegally detained,' the Al Jazeera journalist said. PJD condemned the interception of the ship and the arrest of the Moroccan journalist along with its peaceful activists, calling on Moroccan autZionisthorities to take immediate action to secure El Bakkali's release. 'What draws attention and condemnation is that the piracy of this humanitarian and peaceful ship was carried out by the sea pirates in international waters, in clear violation of all relevant international laws,' PJD said. PJD also condemned the total silence over similar incidents by the IOF without the international community's intervention. The party asserts that this encourages Israel to 'continue its actions and brutality without regard for laws, charters, or international institutions, threatening and undermining international peace and security.' The IOF intercepted the Handala ship on Saturday, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry claiming that the ship is part of 'unauthorized attempts to break the blockade.' They also reported they all passengers are safe; however, this has not been verified. Israel also claimed that similar acts 'undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.' The claims come amid a starvation campaign Israel has launched against Palestinians in Gaza for months. The starvation death toll has reached at least 133 to date, including over 80 children. Activists and rights groups are warning that the death toll is yet to rise amid a lack and absence of humanitarian aid due to the IOF's merciless approach, contributing to its armed genocidal war and mass killings of Palestinians. Tags: Gaza starvationstarvation Gaza
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Ya Biladi
4 days ago
- Health
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's PJD criticizes government based on controversial Numbeo ranking [Fact-check]
Archive When it comes to attacking the government, the source or accuracy of the data no longer seems to matter. This is evident in the Justice and Development Party's recent criticism of the government's healthcare performance, based on a questionable ranking derived from the opinions of a small group of internet users. Despite its own extensive experience in public governance, the party ignored credible reports from official Moroccan and international institutions, such as Bank Al-Maghrib, the High Commission for Planning, the Court of Auditors, and the WHO, which, backed by rigorous methodology and field data, have themselves pointed to the government's shortcomings. Instead, the PJD chose to rely on the «Health Care Index by Country 2025», published by Numbeo, a platform whose credibility is highly disputed. In a lengthy article published on its website, the opposition party claimed that «despite the Akhannouch government's social-state rhetoric», Morocco ranked 94th out of 99 countries. It attempted to legitimize the ranking by describing Numbeo as «a site specializing in data analysis and international surveys», in an effort to lend credibility to its findings. The party went on to describe Morocco's position at the bottom of the African healthcare rankings as «alarming», noting that Rabat and Casablanca ranked 303rd and 310th, respectively, in terms of healthcare quality. The Truth Behind the Ranking Numbeo, the platform the PJD relied on, was founded in 2009 by Serbian national Mladen Adamovic and is registered in Serbia. The site openly admits that «the structure of the project allows anyone with an Internet connection to modify its content», and warns that «nothing found here has necessarily been reviewed by people with the expertise required to provide you with complete, accurate or reliable information. Use our content at your own risk». It further adds: «We do not provide any warranties that our services will meet your requirements, be uninterrupted, timely, accurate, or error-free, or that your information will be secure», and makes clear that «there is absolutely no assurance that any statement on the website is correct or precise». A closer look at the site reveals the weakness of its methodology. A single user can skew a city or country's overall rating simply by submitting multiple opinions. For instance, Rabat's healthcare rating was based on only 30 users, and Casablanca's on just 67, while Kaohsiung, Taiwan topped the global list based on only 47 submissions. Shifting Positions Ironically, back in 2019, when the PJD held the Ministry of Health under Saad Eddine El Othmani's leadership, it had firmly criticized Moroccan media for citing Numbeo's rankings. In an official statement at the time, the ministry dismissed the site's methodology, saying it lacked «scientific accuracy, sound methodology, and the standards used by recognized international institutions». The ministry stated that the rankings «were based on a small, unrepresentative sample, no more than 100 visitors to the site, and could not be used to evaluate national healthcare systems». It also warned media outlets to treat Numbeo's data with caution, describing it as «misleading and unaffiliated with any recognized international statistical health organization».
Morocco World
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
PJD's Abdelilah Benkirane Accuses Ouahbi of Alleged Tax Fraud
Rabat – The Secretary General of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), Abdelilah Benkirane has issued a new fiery statement, accusing a government minister of allegedly falsifying an official document to avoid paying taxes. Benkirane did not mention any names, but converging reports said his recent post pointed to Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi. 'A minister falsifies an official document submitted to the tax authorities, declaring less than one-tenth of the property's actual value to evade due taxes, blatantly violating the Constitution,' Benkirane wrote . He also called for the minister's resignation, as per the 'rule of law and institutions and by the principle of accountability.' Benkirane's accusations came in the aftermath of leaked documents allegedly obtained by the Algerian hacker group Jabaroot, claiming to show financial and real transactions linked to government officials. In addition to Benkirane, the Democratic Left Federation (FGD) also called on the government to open an investigation into the leaks. 'This comes about what has been reported in the media and revealed in the 'Jabaroot' leaks, which suggests the involvement of current government ministers in cases of corruption and abuse of influence,' the party said, urging for an intervention. The party requested that the public prosecutor investigate the case in a transparent process to assign responsibilities and apply all legal consequences.
Ya Biladi
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's foreign minister condemns exclusion of Sahara from maps as attack on territorial integrity
Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita has condemned the publication of maps of Morocco that exclude the Sahara, calling it «an attack on our territorial integrity and on the diplomatic and international progress made regarding the Moroccan Sahara». His remarks were made in response to a written question submitted by Naima El Fathaoui, a member of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), addressing this sensitive issue. Bourita explained that, «given the importance of this matter and its implications», the Ministry has adopted «a strategy based on vigilance and strict monitoring of how Morocco's map is displayed on various websites, along with swift action to correct any inaccuracies». This approach also includes «a proactive component that involves monitoring the organization of international forums to ensure the full map of the Kingdom is displayed». The minister emphasized that «Moroccan embassies and consulates abroad are constantly monitoring all official publications and websites in the countries where they are accredited». Whenever a truncated map of Morocco is spotted, «they immediately contact the relevant authorities to demand corrections». These efforts have yielded results. «Many institutions and websites that initially published incomplete maps of Morocco have since apologized to Moroccan authorities», Bourita noted. He also pointed out that «in many cases, websites are managed by private companies unaware of the political context surrounding the Moroccan Sahara issue. Often, the same countries where these errors occur have reaffirmed their strong support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara». Bourita reaffirmed his ministry's commitment to «countering malicious disinformation campaigns led by the enemies of our territorial integrity». Meanwhile, Algeria has been actively campaigning against the inclusion of the Sahara in maps of Morocco since February 2021. Notably, the opening ceremony of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2024), hosted by Morocco, featured a map of the Kingdom that excluded the Sahara.
Al-Ahram Weekly
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
The future of Turkey's Kurds
Fighters from the Kurdistan Workers Party have been laying down their arms in ceremonies conducted within the framework of Turkish-Kurdish peace negotiations On 11 July, a group of 30 fighters from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) – half of them women – placed their weapons in a large cauldron in front of the historic Jasana cave in northern Iraq and set them alight. The symbolic disarmament ceremony – described as historic – was conducted in the framework of the ongoing Kurdish-Turkish peace negotiations that are being conducted beneath the slogan 'a terror-free Turkey.' The ceremony came in response to a video message aired two days earlier from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan to his followers. 'I believe in the power of politics and societal peace, not weapons, and I call on you to put this principle into practice,' he said. The iconic PKK leader has been held in near solitary confinement in the Imralı Prison near Istanbul since 1999. This was his first publicised video message in 26 years. It follows an earlier written message in February calling on all PKK groups to lay down their arms. 'The PKK must dissolve itself,' it read. 'Convene your congress and take the decision to integrate with the state and society.' The PKK members' symbolic gesture received a very positive response from Ankara. 'Today marks a new day, a new chapter in history. The doors to a great, strong Turkey— Century of Turkey — have been fully opened,' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on 12 July. Describing the disarmament ceremony as a victory for Turkey's 86 million citizens, Turks, Kurds and Arabs, he said, 'the Republic of Turkey is our shared home, our common roof. All 86 million of us are one, united, and brothers for eternity.' Urging the public to have confidence in the government that is working to secure a better future, he said that 'we will facilitate the process with care and urgency, without harming anyone, and closely monitor the laying down of weapons.' The PKK has been under increasing pressure to disarm. Its leader's decisions followed by its members' historic gesture of good faith cannot be viewed separately from developments in Syria following the overthrow of the Bashar Al-Assad regime in December 2024. Soon afterwards, Turkey succeeded in bringing Syria's neighbouring states together in a high-level meeting hosted by Jordan in March to forge a regional anti-terrorism coalition, primarily aiming to combat the Islamic State (IS) group and the PKK, which Turkey has designated as a terrorist organisation. Analysts believe that the PKK has come to recognise that the militant option will yield at best limited results, especially in view of regional and international developments. Part of the group's networks in Syria and Iraq have collapsed under sustained Turkish military pressure. In Syria, the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have experienced internal rifts. To the east, the PKK sustained setbacks as a consequence of the Israeli attack against Iran. Prior to this, Israel and its Western backers succeeded in neutralising segments of Iran's regional proxies, thereby reducing Tehran's support for the PKK. Another likely factor informing the PKK decision to disarm is the shift in US policy towards Syria. On 30 June, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting sanctions on Syria. Prior to this, on 5 June, the US withdrew over 500 troops from three bases in northeastern Syria, and on 17 June it withdrew forces from two additional bases in that area. The moves suggest that the Trump administration is accelerating the reduction of the US military presence in Syria and by extension US support for the SDF, which, according to some analysts, is a source of concern for the PKK. At the same time, the Trump administration is keen to support the new Syrian leadership and has echoed Interim Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa's calls for national unity. Meanwhile, since the opening of the parliamentary season last autumn, when Erdogan's far-right ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli walked over to shake hands with the leader of the pro-Kurdish People's Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, Ankara has increasingly leaned into a major shift in its policy towards the Kurdish rights movement. In April, Erdogan met with a delegation from the DEM to discuss prospects for reviving the Turkish-Kurdish peace process that he had abandoned in 2015. More recently, on 24 June, Bahçeli called on all Turkish parties to support a new peace initiative that promised to make Turkey free of terrorism. The MHP and Bahçeli personally had long been fervent opponents of dialogue with the PKK. Turkey's current approach to the PKK is shaped by three key factors. The first is Erdogan's determination to secure support for a new constitution, which is currently being drafted. Secondly, he is desperate to contain the growing influence of the opposition parties, above all the People's Republican Party (CHP), which has been gaining remarkably in the polls. The third is the need to counter the Israeli threat. Tel Aviv's invective against Turkey has become increasingly strident, most recently in response to Ankara's defence of Iran's right to complete its nuclear programme. Bahçeli, perhaps reflecting the concerns of the Turkish leadership in general regarding Israeli behaviour in the region, warned that Turkey might be Israel's next target after Iran. Despite the hopes raised by the PKK arms-burning ceremony and its reception in Ankara, the road to peace and the PKK's integration into Turkish political life is unlikely to be smooth. One of the foremost obstacles is Turkish scepticism and mistrust. According to some Turkish assessments, the PKK still owns hidden arsenals of weapons. Ankara also fears that the PKK fighters in Iraq might merge with Iranian-backed militias. The mistrust is also mutual. In the long run, PKK leaders worry that their fighters will not obtain the necessary legal protections from potential witch hunts after an agreement. Turkey has never articulated a concrete vision for resolving the conflict politically and in terms of legal guarantees. In addition, the PKK is concerned by the threat of continued Turkish military operations despite ongoing negotiations. In recent months, Turkey has launched frequent strikes against PKK strongholds in Iraqi Kurdistan, claiming dozens of casualties. If, to the PKK leadership, this betrays a lack of good faith, the Turkish leadership argues that a two-pronged approach – military operations in tandem with dialogue – is needed to push effectively for a peaceful solution. Perhaps it has the PKK's more hardline nationalist wing in mind. The 'Qandil faction,' as it is called, has previously opposed unilateral disarmament and organisational dismantlement. This faction still subscribes to armed struggle as the most effective means to secure Kurdish rights in the face of what it regards the systemic Turkish antagonism to and marginalisation of the country's large Kurdish minority. It also argues that this struggle has helped focus international attention on the question of Kurdish national, political, and cultural rights. Ankara may be calculating that the military dimension of its two-pronged approach will drive a wedge between this faction and the Ocalan faction, weakening the negotiating hand of the latter. Be that as it may, any peace process will have to navigate through obstacles posed by the hardline factions on both sides, whether the Kurdish militants or the far right Turkish ethnonationalists. But perhaps more crucially, to move forward a peace process needs clarity in the form of a concrete vision or roadmap – and this, so far, remains lacking. * A version of this article appears in print in the 17 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
