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Doha – In a controversial speech delivered at a Labor Day event organized by the National Labor Union in Morocco, Justice and Development Party (PJD) Secretary-General Abdelilah Benkirane ignited widespread indignation by labeling Moroccans who prioritize domestic issues over the Palestinian cause as “microbes” and “donkeys.”
During his inflammatory address on Thursday, May 1, Benkirane targeted supporters of the slogan “Taza before Gaza”—an expression used by Moroccans who believe national concerns should take precedence over regional conflicts. Taza, a Moroccan city, symbolizes domestic priorities in this context.
“Now there are ‘microbes’—yes, I found this name appropriate—they are ‘microbes’ in ‘politics,’ ‘media,’ or in some ‘official and semi-official bodies,’ going around saying ‘we are Moroccans, Palestine is not our business,’” Benkirane declared during the rally.
He continued his attack with even harsher language: “You donkey of the end times, haven’t you read history about what happened in Andalusia, where one emirate would say ‘not my business’ about what was happening in another emirate, until all emirates were eliminated,” adding, “Even donkeys would be angry if we compared them to you.”
The former Prime Minister, who was recently re-elected to lead the Islamist party, insisted that the Palestinian cause holds the same importance as Morocco’s southern provinces issue, stating, “If we all need to sacrifice for it, we will sacrifice.”
He went further by calling for Moroccans to be allowed to jihad (fight) in Palestine, leading attendees in chanting, “Oh state, oh state… what are you doing to us… send us to Palestine to fight the Zionists,” a slogan borrowed from football club fan groups that Benkirane himself described as “chants from Raja and Wydad factions.”
The speech triggered immediate backlash across social media platforms. Within hours, the hashtag “#Taza_before_Gaza” topped trending topics on X in Morocco, accompanied by scathing comments condemning Benkirane’s remarks.
One X user wrote, “Has hatred driven Benkirane to insult Moroccans because they put their country first? Those who raise the slogan #Taza_before_Gaza aren’t lacking patriotism but are fully aware… while those who respond with ‘microbes’ and ‘donkeys’ deserve treatment for their lost leadership complex. The people’s voice should not be insulted… and whoever insults it must be held accountable.”
Read also: Hamas Notably Absent from PJD Congress Despite Initial Invitation
Another commented, “Of course, because his electoral credit is empty of any program except Palestine… therefore, any Moroccan who cares about Morocco’s affairs first doesn’t represent the target group of this party… he also tries to demean Moroccans to shake their self-confidence, because self-esteem prevents Moroccans from submitting to foreign agendas.”
Amazigh activist Amina Ben Cheikh Oukdourt sharply criticized the former government head in an article widely circulated across news outlets. She described his behavior as “unbecoming of a man who was once prime minister” and characterized his speech as “dangerous, exclusionary, hate-filled, anti-homeland, dictatorial and divisive.”
Responding to Benkirane’s “donkey” insult, Ben Cheikh pointed out that in Amazigh popular culture, the donkey symbolizes patience, diligence, and hard work—qualities she suggested were lacking in “some politicians who have lost their way and their ability to persuade except through shouting and insults, like Benkirane himself.”
“My message to what remains of Benkirane’s mind: We Moroccans, whether you like it or not, are free citizens with the ability to think, make decisions, and choose. We are not tools in your exclusionary discourse game. We have the right to say ‘Taza before Gaza,’ as His Majesty the King said before us, meaning ‘Morocco first,’” Ben Cheikh wrote.
As Morocco approaches its next electoral cycle, critics view Benkirane’s inflammatory rhetoric as an attempt to mobilize his base by exploiting the Palestinian cause, rather than addressing substantial domestic issues that might win voter support.
