From the Liveblog of
Monday, July 17, 2023
Morocco says Israel has recognized its rule over Western Sahara
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Morocco says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent a letter to King Mohammed VI recognizing the North African nation’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
According to Rabat, Netanyahu tells the monarch that Israel will “recognize the sovereignty of Morocco over the territory of Western Sahara,” and is “examining positively” the opening of a consulate in Dakhla, the regional capital.
Netanyahu also writes, according to the Moroccan Foreign Ministry, that this will be “reflected in all relevant acts and documents of the Israeli government.’’
“The decision will be transmitted to the United Nations, to regional and international organizations of which Israel is a member, and to all countries with which Israel maintains diplomatic relations,” it says.
????HM King Mohammed VI received a letter from the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, who brought to the Very High Attention of HM the King, the decision of Israel to ‘’recognize the sovereignty of Morocco over the territory of Western Sahara’’. pic.twitter.com/vmowZxbbrV
— Moroccan Diplomacy ???????? (@Marocdiplo_EN) July 17, 2023
There is no immediate confirmation or denial from the Foreign Ministry.
Ties with Morocco have become shaky in recent months, with Rabat postponing the second Negev Forum. Israel’s recognition is sure to smooth out relations to a significant extent
Last month, reports said Israel was mulling the move and Morocco had made it a condition to upgrade ties.
The two countries’ diplomatic missions are currently liaison offices, but Israel’s recognition of Western Sahara could allow for a full embassy presence. A free-trade agreement is also a possibility for the future.
Western Sahara is a sparsely populated desert region on the Atlantic coast that is adjacent to Morocco proper. The Polisario movement seeks independence from Morocco in the area and controls a part of the territory.
Israel and Morocco have steadily built up their relationship since normalizing ties in 2020, part of a series of deals known as the Abraham Accords, backed by the administration of then-US president Donald Trump.
In exchange, Rabat won a key concession from Washington: recognition of its sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The Times of Israel Community.