The Algerian regime’s betrayal of Palestine won’t spare it — it's only digging its own grave

"A mouth full of promises, hands empty of deeds." This expression captures the contradictory stance of the Algerian regime, which professes unconditional support for Palestine, yet simultaneously suppresses public demonstrations or marches in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

The regime’s justification for its crackdown shows its sanctimonious, paternalistic mindset. "There's no need to protest for Palestine — our official stance speaks for itself," they claim. Yet no action ever follows. And when prominent Algerians dare challenge the state's iron grip, they are swiftly punished.

The ban on peaceful demonstration clearly violates the Algerian Constitution, which explicitly guarantees the right to assembly and nonviolent protest. This breach is especially striking given that the protest’s stated purpose aligns with the regime’s own 'official' position — raising serious questions about the government's true intentions.

Frustration online towards the Algerian regime's crackdown on Palestine solidarity is palpable. Many social media users are quick to point out the irony: in Morocco, a country that has normalised relations with Israel, massive protests in solidarity with Palestine have taken place without interference. Yet in Algeria, a brotherly country of Palestine, even peaceful protests are stifled.

Why? One explanation lies in the regime’s deep-seated fear that it might spiral into something far more threatening: a broader indictment of the political status quo. Solidarity with Palestine could easily become a platform for airing deeper grievances about corruption, repression, economic stagnation, and the absence of real political reform.

And the regime has every reason to be worried. Since the 2019 Hirak revolution, which forced President Bouteflika to resign, Algerians have seen little in the way of genuine change. The call then was not just to oust a figurehead, but to dismantle a system. That demand was ignored. The old structures remained intact, and with them, public disillusionment only deepened.

In December 2019, Algeria held presidential elections under the heavy influence of the military, which played a major role in shaping the outcome.

Despite widespread unrest and a growing divide between protesters and the ruling regime, the government turned to repression to silence popular demands. The elections, which saw a striking boycott rate of nearly 60%, ultimately resulted in Abdelmadjid Tebboune becoming president.

Tebboune’s first term marked an attempt to overhaul the constitution, specifically addressing the perceived shortcomings of previous amendments, particularly the controversial 2016 revision. The 2020 constitution granted the government the power to suspend “rights, freedoms, and guarantees” under the guise of maintaining public order, security, and protecting national values. Critics swiftly dubbed this shift the “constitutionalisation of repression,” fearing it would provide a legal framework for further crackdowns on dissent.

In this context, the regime's decision to ban a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Palestine in front of the US embassy in Algiers became a particularly embarrassing moment. For a government that has long touted its unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause, this act of repression sent a clear message of its priorities, undermining its narrative.

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Many Algerians continue to hold dear the iconic words of the country's first president, Ahmed Ben Bella, who declared that "Algeria's independence will remain incomplete unless Palestine is liberated."

But today it seems that Algeria’s policy toward Palestine is undergoing a dramatic shift. President Tebboune’s recent comment that Algeria would be ready to normalise relations with Israel the day a fully sovereign Palestinian state is established marks a sharp contradiction to decades of anti-normalisation rhetoric.

This shift is more than a policy change; it challenges the very identity of Algeria’s foreign policy. Algeria has long prided itself on standing firm with Palestine, yet now, as normalisation sweeps through the Arab world, it faces uncomfortable questions. If the regime truly entertains the idea of normalising ties with Israel, it means betraying the very values that once defined the nation.

Algeria has the resources and influence to do more than just offer humanitarian aid and moral support. With its vast oil and gas reserves, Algeria could leverage economic pressure on European countries that back Israel’s occupation, pushing them to halt their support and demand an end to Israel’s crimes against humanity in Palestine. 

The time has come for Algeria to move beyond symbolic gestures and take decisive action — its leadership could be crucial in shifting global pressure and defending Palestinian rights. Failing to do so would weaken its historic commitment to Palestine and its role on the world stage.

Mohcine El-Moussaoui is a freelance journalist and a researcher in political affairs and international relations.

Follow him on Instagram: @el7mohcine

Follow him on X: @ElMouss65872918

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Opinions expressed in this article remain those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The New Arab, its editorial board or staff.