Rabat – The first day of the 17th General Congress of the Istiqlal Party (PI) turned into pure chaos this Friday, September 29, in what social media users are now describing as the “War of the Plates.”
Launched under the theme “Renewal of Contract with the Country,” violent clashes broke out last night on the first day of the 17th Congress of Istiqlal between supporters and detractors of Hamid Chabat, general secretary of the PI.
The video documenting shocking scenes of the PI throwing chairs, dishes, and insults at each other was massively shared on social media, pushing Adil Benhamza, member of the political bureau close Chabat, to apologize on his Facebook page.
“What happened on Friday is shameful and does not honor the members of the PI. These acts are unacceptable, whatever their reasons or justifications,” wrote the former spokesman of the party on his Facebook page. According to him, the party is currently going through “a very delicate situation that can be reduced in personal ambitions vis-à-vis the General Secretariat or the Executive Committee.”
The brawling started with a few comments and slogans thrown here and there. Seated in separate rows, pro- and anti-Chabat militants didn’t shy at first from throwing insults at each other. However, things quickly escalated into a fierce battlefield, as the party members threw dishes, chairs, and seemingly anything they could put their hands on. The fighting left several wounded from both camps.
While the organizers were expecting high tensions during the congress, which is supposed to last till October 1, likely none imagined that the 300 security officers deployed in the vicinity would not be enough to hold back the excited partisans.
Reiterating his apologies, Benhamza said that the shocking incident stemmed from a vocal minority and did not represent the party as a whole. “These behaviors have irritated many of those who disagree with the Istiqlal party, but who want it strong and unified.”
“This party belongs not only to its members but to all Moroccans regardless of their political affiliation or ideological choice,” concluded Benhamza.
