The Secretary General of the PJD recalled the signing of the tripartite declaration at the royal palace in Rabat on December 22, 2020, by his predecessor, marking the resumption of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel. «The PJD may have apologized for the normalization, but the one who should apologize is Dr. Saad-Eddine El Othmani. He must explain the circumstances, which he knows, surrounding his signing of the normalization», Benkirane said during a rally in support of Palestine, organized by his party in Casablanca. These criticisms directed at El Othmani are not surprising. Since resuming leadership of PJD in October 2021, Benkirane has consistently criticized El Othmani over his «responsibility» in reestablishing relations with Israel. In July 2024, he remarked, «I am waiting for El Othmani to explain to me his signing of the normalization with Israel». Benkirane's recent comments against his predecessor as both PJD leader and head of government contrast with his own statements made on social media the day after the complete normalization of relations with Israel. «When you're in the executive, you are part of the State. That's how these events (the resumption of relations with Israel) must be interpreted. The country's image is at stake; this is no laughing matter. We must respect institutions. The State's number two cannot oppose the State's number one», he told PJD activists on December 22, 2020, in response to their outrage over Saad-Eddine El Othmani's signing of the Tripartite Declaration between Morocco, Israel, and the United States.
