Are We Facing Palestinian Double Standards on the Moroccan Sahara Issue, or Has Jibril Rajoub Lost His Memory?

By: ALDAR/ Analysis

The statements recently issued by Palestinian Minister of Sports and member of the Fatah movement, Jibril Rajoub, reveal a noticeable retreat concerning the position on the Moroccan Sahara. Rajoub recently denied remarks attributed to him that indicated his support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, calling them “false and not issued by him.”

This retreat comes just weeks after his earlier statements, which sparked significant controversy. At the time, he expressed his support for “Morocco’s logistical capabilities from Tangier to Lagouira” in the context of Morocco’s joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

These statements seemed like an attempt to ease Moroccan anger after he had openly expressed support for Algeria’s position on the Sahara issue.

Rajoub had previously drawn criticism from the Moroccan public following his remarks to Algerian media, where he declared his support for the “Algerian solution,” advocating for a referendum to determine the fate of Western Sahara’s population. He described this solution as one that “promotes dialogue and keeps Algeria’s enemies and Israel away from the region.”

These contradictory statements raise questions about the clarity of the Palestinian stance on the Moroccan Sahara issue, especially since Morocco considers the matter one of national sovereignty and non-negotiable.

On the other hand, the oscillation of some Palestinian officials between appeasing Morocco and appeasing Algeria raises doubts about the independence of this position from regional and international pressures.

Despite these contradictory statements, Morocco remains one of the most prominent supporters of the Palestinian cause, whether politically or humanitarianly. Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has played a pivotal role in supporting Palestinians through the Al-Quds Committee, in addition to social and humanitarian projects benefiting the Palestinian people.

This incident highlights the double standards in the discourse of some Palestinian officials regarding sensitive issues like the Moroccan Sahara. Such contradictory positions could strain relations between the two countries, making it necessary to reassess Palestinian leadership stances to ensure respect for the sovereignty of brotherly nations and to avoid statements that might be interpreted as interference in their internal affairs.