Israel recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara

Israel decided to “recognize the sovereignty of Morocco” in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, the royal cabinet in Rabat announced on Monday, citing a letter from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Through this letter, the Israeli Prime Minister brought to the Very High Attention of His Majesty the King (Mohammed VI) the decision of the State of Israel to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the territory of Western Sahara”the Palace said in a statement.

Opening of a consulate

In Jerusalem, requested by AFP, the Prime Minister’s office specified that‘Israel confirms details in announcement’ Moroccan authorities. In his missive, Netanyahu specifies that his country’s position will be “reflected in all relevant acts and documents of the Israeli government”. She will “transmitted to the United Nations, regional and international organizations of which Israel is a member, as well as to all countries with which Israel maintains diplomatic relations”adds the Israeli leader, according to excerpts from his letter cited in the royal statement.

Binyamin Netanyahu also informed the ruler that Israel was looking positively “the opening of a consulate in the city of Dakhla”, located in the part of Western Sahara controlled by the kingdom. Rabat wants its allies to open diplomatic representations in Western Sahara in recognition of the “Moroccanness” of the vast territory and as a token of their support for the kingdom. In fact, for King Mohammed VI, “the Sahara issue is the prism through which Morocco considers its international environment”he said in a televised speech.

Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is controlled for the most part by Morocco but claimed by the Sahrawi separatists of the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria. Morocco and Israel normalized diplomatic relations in December 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords, a process between Israel and several Arab countries, backed by Washington. In return, Rabat had obtained from Washington the recognition of the “Moroccan sovereignty” over Western Sahara.