Initiative to establish a party with a Jewish reference and the name 'Likoud' sparks debate in Morocco

The Moroccan political scene has witnessed a notable development following the submission of a dossier to establish a political party named 'The Unity Party with Democratic Foundations and Jewish Reference', while also adopting the Hebrew name 'Likoud'. The founding committee, led by El Houcine Benmesoud, bases its move on the constitution and the law on political parties, while linking the initiative to the normalization process with Israel and agreements signed since December 2020, as well as visits by Israeli officials. This step has triggered deep questions regarding the shift of normalization from diplomatic agreements into the core of domestic political and institutional life, raising concerns over political independence, national sovereignty, and the country's identity.