Latest news with #PJD
Morocco World
7 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
IOF Attack on Foreign Diplomats: PJD Urges Government to Cut Ties with Israel
Rabat – Morocco's Justice and Development Party (PJD) condemned the targeting of a high-level diplomatic delegation by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), which opened fire towards ambassadors, including the Moroccan envoy to Palestine, Abderrahim Meziane, during their visit to the Jenin refugee camp. Recalling in a statement on Wednesday that the attack nearly cost the life of the ambassador, PJD strongly condemned the 'criminal act' that 'once again reveals the brutal nature of this entity that shows no regard for international law or diplomatic norms.' Expressing solidarity with the Moroccan ambassador, PJD renewed its demand, calling on the Moroccan government to sever all ties with Israel and cancel all the agreements with the 'Zionist entity.' 'We also call for the closure of the liaison office and the expulsion of its representative, as well as the closure of the Moroccan liaison office in the entity,' the statement added, urging the government to take all necessary and urgent steps to pressure Israel to end its brutal genocidal war against civilians in Gaza. On Wednesday, a viral video documented the moment when IOF opened fire on foreign diplomats visiting a camp in the occupied West Bank. The occupation government admitted to firing shots, claiming they were 'Warning shots.' The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the attack, noting that the act came during a field tour around the camp to witness the 'extent of the suffering endured by the residents of the area.' The Israeli forces justified their acts by claiming that the delegation had moved into an 'unauthorized' area, adding that their firing of shots at the delegation caused no injuries or damage. Along with other Moroccan political parties and Moroccan citizens, PJD has been calling on the Moroccan government to sever ties with Israel. Even long before the OF launched its genocidal war against Palestinians in October 2023, the party had been a vocal critic of the normalization of relations between Rabat and Tel Aviv. Since the genocidal atrocities, Moroccans took to the streets on many occasions, denouncing the aggressions and calling on the government to end ties with Israel. Morocco re-established relations with Israel in December 2020. Upon announcing the decision, King Mohammed VI explicitly renewed the country's constant support of the Palestinian cause. In recent years and months, the Moroccan monarch has consistently described the creation of an independent Palestinian state as a priority for Morocco. In response to claims and accusations of Morocco's betrayal of Palestine, King Mohammed VI has repeatedly insisted that support for the Palestinian cause is part and parcel of Morocco's identity as a nation. In a message to the recent Arab League summit in Iraq, the monarch condemned IOF's latest attacks, urging for the revival of negotiations for an immediate ceasefire. Tags: children of GazaIOF
Ya Biladi
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
PJD withdraws controversial proposal to ban dual nationals from Moroccan government roles
The PJD parliamentary group has decided to withdraw its proposed law aimed at banning dual nationals from holding ministerial positions. The announcement came on Monday, May 19, just before Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch was scheduled to respond to questions from both majority and opposition deputies about the state of education in Morocco. In April 2023, the Islamist party had introduced an amendment to Organic Law No. 065-13, which regulates the organization and functioning of the government and the status of its members. This law was originally adopted during Abdelilah Benkirane's administration. The PJD's proposal was reviewed on May 2 by the Justice, Legislation and Human Rights Commission in the House of Representatives. During the presentation, PJD deputy Abdessamad Haiker asserted that «members of the government must hold exclusively Moroccan nationality. Moroccans deserve a fully Moroccan government, and those who do not meet this condition should not be part of it». This initiative to exclude dual nationals from ministerial roles sparked criticism from Omar El Mourabet, a former national council member residing in France. He condemned the move as «a serious mistake against Moroccans around the world, based on trivial pretexts, notably targeting some ministers of the current majority who hold foreign nationalities», in a statement on social media.
Ya Biladi
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan MPs demand action on right to inform amid cybersecurity concerns
On Monday, May 5, the parliamentary group of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) expressed concern over the lack of scheduled speaking slots under the «right to inform», as outlined in Article 163 of the House of Representatives' internal regulations. Mustapha Ibrahimi pointed out that «under the two previous governments, this right was exercised four times during each weekly oral question session, whereas under the current government, it has been used only four times since the start of this legislature». He noted that his group had specifically requested to speak about the cyberattack targeting the CNSS database. In a surprising turn, the PAM group—part of the ruling majority—backed the Islamists' request. Ahmed Touizi, head of the PAM's parliamentary group, called on the Akhannouch government to respond to MPs' requests to speak at the end of oral question sessions. «The majority is not afraid», he declared emphatically. Article 163 of the lower house's internal rules defines this right: «Deputies may speak at the end of the weekly oral question session to address a topic of general and urgent interest that should be brought to the attention of national public opinion. The president of the parliamentary group must notify the President of the House in writing of any such request at least twenty-four hours before the session begins». The article further states: «The government may provide data, statements, and clarifications on the issues raised. A total of sixteen minutes is allocated for this purpose. The number of speakers is limited to two from the opposition and two from the majority, alternating between parliamentary groups, while respecting the rights of unaffiliated representatives. Based on these criteria, the Bureau establishes the list of speakers before each session. Each topic is presented in a two-minute intervention».
Ya Biladi
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan MPs demand action on right to inform amid cybersecurity concerns
On Monday, May 5, the parliamentary group of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) expressed concern over the lack of scheduled speaking slots under the «right to inform», as outlined in Article 163 of the House of Representatives' internal regulations. Mustapha Ibrahimi pointed out that «under the two previous governments, this right was exercised four times during each weekly oral question session, whereas under the current government, it has been used only four times since the start of this legislature». He noted that his group had specifically requested to speak about the cyberattack targeting the CNSS database. In a surprising turn, the PAM group—part of the ruling majority—backed the Islamists' request. Ahmed Touizi, head of the PAM's parliamentary group, called on the Akhannouch government to respond to MPs' requests to speak at the end of oral question sessions. «The majority is not afraid», he declared emphatically. Article 163 of the lower house's internal rules defines this right: «Deputies may speak at the end of the weekly oral question session to address a topic of general and urgent interest that should be brought to the attention of national public opinion. The president of the parliamentary group must notify the President of the House in writing of any such request at least twenty-four hours before the session begins». The article further states: «The government may provide data, statements, and clarifications on the issues raised. A total of sixteen minutes is allocated for this purpose. The number of speakers is limited to two from the opposition and two from the majority, alternating between parliamentary groups, while respecting the rights of unaffiliated representatives. Based on these criteria, the Bureau establishes the list of speakers before each session. Each topic is presented in a two-minute intervention».
Morocco World
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco's Opposition Groups Promise Censure Motion Against Government Over ‘Irregularities'
Rabat – Morocco's opposition parties recently brought up a decision to submit a motion of no confidence against Aziz Akhannouch's government. Initially, opposition parties were set to submit the motion on Monday. Parliamentary commitments and the absence of political parties' leadership members required a postponement to submit a motion of censure until next week. A motion of censure, or motion of no confidence, is an act through which political parties address criticism against the government, its policy, or approach in handling political affairs. Opposition groups in Morocco already filed the draft of the motion on Sunday and intend to submit it to the House of Representatives by next week, which will allow them to collect enough votes. Morocco's Constitution guarantees the parliamentary opposition the right to monitor government action, including through motions of no confidence, the interpellation of the government, oral questions, and within the framework of parliamentary inquiry commissions as stipulated in Article 10 of the Constitution. The same article emphasized how opposition groups are required to contribute 'actively and constructively to parliamentary work.' For months, opposition leaders have been criticizing Akhannouch's government for what they perceived as dysfunctions and inefficiency in handling internal affairs. The leader of the Justice and Development Party (PJD), Abdelilah Benkirane, has been calling on Akhannouch to step down, citing his alleged involvement in controversial government contracts. In December 2024, Benkirane accused Akhannouch of abusing his power by overseeing the bidding process for a seawater desalination project in the Casablanca-Settat region, which ultimately was a reported conflict of interest, as it benefited a consortium that included Afriquia Gaz, owned by Akhannouch. 'To be honest, this time, I don't see how Mr. Aziz Akhannouch can continue as head of government,' Benkirane said, urging him to 'step down and let Morocco breathe for the next two years,' the PJD head said. Benkirane has also been criticizing and accusing Akhannouch of delaying the reconstruction of for areas devastated by the Al Haouz earthquake. Most recently, the opposition groups have been calling on the government to allow the establishment of a parliamentary fact-finding commission amid growing concerns over the effectiveness of the cabinet subsidies for livestock imports. The Progress and Socialism Party (PPS), which is part of the opposition groups, has been issuing several statements to discuss the concerns over the subsidies for livestock importers. 'The political bureau once again highlighted the significant meaning behind the opposition parties' initiative to have the House of Representatives form a fact-finding commission on the circumstances and impacts of direct subsidies and customs and tax exemptions granted by the government to importers of sheep and cattle,' PPS wrote in April. PPS Secretary General Nabil Benabllah said in March that the tax exemption granted by the government to sheep and cattle importers amounted to $1.38 billion from 2022 to 2024. About 277 importers benefited from these exceptions. The government's official estimate was $31.5 million, according to Benabdallah, who cited Speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami, who announced the alleged official statistics. In a new statement, Benabdellah sharply criticized the government, noting that the cabinet finds itself in a 'genuine political, ethical and legal deadlock in the face of national public opinion due to the scandal involving billions of dirhams it has squandered.' 'This has been done through direct subsidies and tax and customs exemptions that it has granted- and continues to grant to livestock importers on a silver platter,' Benabdellah said in the new statement published on his party's official website. He also criticized the government for the lack of a positive response to the inquiry initiative to uncover the truth over the subsidies granted to the livestock importers. 'Unfortunately, the government found no better way to address this troubling situation than to pressure its parliamentary majority into attempting to downplay – or even thwart and nullify – opposition's constitutionally and legally grounded initiative by submitting a request for an exploratory mission on the same subject,' he said. Benabdellah further asked the government to provide clarification on why the cabinet is avoiding the formation of a commission of inquiry if it is 'truly certain that its support for livestock importers is free of any irregularities.' Tags: Abdelilah Benkirane and oppositionakhannouch
