Israel has decided to “recognize the sovereignty of Morocco” over 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,” said the Palace in a press release.
In his missive, the Israeli Prime Minister informed the sovereign that Israel was positively considering “the opening of a consulate in the city of Dakhla”, located in the part of Western Sahara controlled by the kingdom. In Jerusalem, requested by Agence France-Presse (AFP), Netanyahu’s office clarified that “Israel confirms the details contained in the announcement” from the Moroccan authorities.
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 their diplomatic relations in December 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords, a process between Israel and several Arab countries, supported by Washington.
In return, Rabat obtained from Washington the recognition of “Moroccan sovereignty” over Western Sahara.
