A fierce competition, marked by increasingly aggressive rhetoric and a race to the bottom, appears to have been unleashed from the inner circles of Algerian power. Their singular obsession: Morocco. Critics within Algeria, concerned by this trend, suggest that this public display of animosity, openly embraced and sustained by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration, is a relatively recent phenomenon.
Conversely, some observers contend that this hostility towards Morocco was always present, but its current eruption appears more dramatic due to the amplifying effect of social media. However, this perspective often overlooks a critical factor: the Tebboune government launched a television channel, AL24 News, whose editorial stance seems primarily dedicated to extolling President Tebboune while simultaneously unleashing torrents of vitriol against Morocco.
Viewers following AL24 News programs, whether live or on social media platforms, cannot help but notice the disturbing level of morbid jubilation displayed by some of its ‘journalists’ and propagandists when discussing Morocco. Each individual strives to craft the most cutting phrase, the most impactful ‘punchline’ to tarnish the Kingdom’s image, doing so without restraint, without oversight, and with an overwhelming zeal. The factual basis of these attacks seems irrelevant; the primary goal is for the insult to achieve its intended effect.
Official Algerian media’s communication concerning Morocco has reached absurd heights. In some sports summaries, they deliberately avoid pronouncing the Kingdom’s name, believing this prevents ‘glorifying the country.’ This bizarre practice was evident during the Qatar World Cup when the Moroccan national team reached the semi-finals – a historic achievement celebrated globally, yet largely ignored by Algerian television. Today, a similar grim scenario unfolds with the 2026 World Cup, where Morocco’s name and sporting triumphs have become unmentionable.
«One commentator recently descended into an acute delusion, claiming that Lionel Messi, after scoring three goals against the Algerian team, was being manipulated by ‘the Jewish lobby‘ and that this entity was determined to make Algeria ‘pay for its support of Western Sahara and the Palestinian cause‘.»
If shame could induce deafness, Algerian leaders would scarcely hear themselves breathe. How can such profound baseness and blind hatred lead to banning a country’s name from broadcasts, simply to avoid acknowledging its significant sporting achievements?
These outlandish excerpts, translated into French and English, have circulated widely. They highlight a particularly troubling phenomenon with potential international ramifications. The Algerian regime appears not only to be fostering animosity towards its neighbors but also to be promoting state-sponsored antisemitism, especially when public television broadcasts such egregious rhetoric. This conduct, in the current global climate, carries particularly serious implications on the international stage.
Evidently, President Tebboune has unleashed a torrent of hate speech within Algeria. He seems to have contributed to shaping a new, neurotic national identity rooted in the logic: “Tell me who you hate, and I’ll tell you who you are.” This evolution is also reflected in the rise of numerous social media influencers, reportedly close to the regime, who echo this discourse with barely concealed glee.
The animosity against Morocco has transformed into a lucrative political commodity in Algeria. It is such a profitable enterprise that, to ascend the ladders of power or secure positions of responsibility, one apparently needs to demonstrate neither expertise nor skill. Instead, the primary qualification is an unyielding, overt hatred for Morocco. This, it seems, has become the most effective credential for a rapid rise within the circles of power, and according to observers, examples are plentiful.