HIBAPRESS – Rabat
Abdelilah Benkirane, the Secretary-General of the Justice and Development Party, apologized to the residents of Berkane after he offended them in a statement he made on the sidelines of a party meeting yesterday, Sunday.
Benkirane wrote in a post on his page: "During the speech I gave to the members of the National Council of the Justice and Development Party, yesterday, Sunday, November 16, 2025, I mentioned a friendly conversation that took place between me and Mr. Fouzi Lekjaa about jokes, which was considered an offense against the people of Berkane, and this is not true, because I have full appreciation for this city and its people, and the intention was never to offend our Berkane brothers as much as it was a joke with Mr. Lekjaa, and a friendly conversation, no less and no more." He added: "While clarifying this matter, I apologize to the people of Berkane." Benkirane had said in his offensive statement: "I spoke with that Lekjaa and he said to me, I saw you telling jokes, but you don't tell us any jokes, I told him we only make jokes about the Berkanis." This statement sparked a wave of anger at Benkirane from the people of Berkane, who considered the statement racist and offensive to them, which prompted him to apologize.
