Algeria’s Brotherhood using Palestinian issue to make political gains

Ahmed Adel

The Movement of Society for Peace, the branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in Algeria, and its head, Abderrazak Makri, try to occupy an important space on the political stage of the Arab state by hook and by crook.

Using the Palestinian issue

The movement tried to use the Palestinian issue to achieve political gains ahead of the presidential elections in Algeria in April last year. In doing this, the movement made unfounded claims about its positions on the Palestinian issue, only with the aim of attracting the Algerian public to it, after it lost its popularity on the streets of Algeria.

Makri warned against what he described as the potential exploitation of Algeria while the country’s economic and political conditions deteriorated.

He wrote on Facebook that Israel is trying to influence political events in Algeria, only with the aim of serving its own interests.

Backing Turkish interference

In January this year, Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, declared backing of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). A short time later, the Algerian foreign minister called for dialogue in Libya. He added that Algeria would try to bring Libyan rivals together. The Algerian top diplomat also rejected foreign interference in Libyan affairs.

Soon, however, the Muslim Brotherhood in Algeria announced its support of the Algerian official position which served the interests of Libya’s Islamists who are allied to the GNA. The same position served the interests of Turkey which backed the GNA.

Makri called, meanwhile, on the Algerian government to join in the Turkish camp on Libya. He said Algeria should team up with China, Russia, Turkey and Iran.

Makri’s position came after he attended a meeting in Istanbul on means of addressing problems inside the Muslim Brotherhood.