Israel close to deciding on Moroccan Sahara recognition

During a diplomatic visit in Rabat with Israeli Knesset leader Amir Ohana, it was announced on June 8 that Israel will soon declare its support of Moroccan sovereignty in Western Sahara, according to The Arab Weekly

In 2020, then-President Donald Trump recognized Morocco’s sovereignty in the region in exchange for improved relations with Israel, formalized by the Abraham Accords. Conversely, Polisario Front, an Algerian-backed organization, calls for a separatist agenda in the area.

Ohana said to reporters, “I am fully aware of the importance of the recognition of the Moroccan Sahara… Israel should move towards the goal of recognising the Moroccan Sahara just as our closest ally the US did.” He continued, “There are currently serious discussions between our governments on the matter and I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu will be announcing this decision in the near future.”

A 15-year war dragged on between Morocco and the Polisario Front for the territory after Spain withdrew from its former colony in 1975. A UN-supported ceasefire in 1991 brought an end to the conflict, but after nearly thirty years of peace, Polisario Front resumed its armed struggle in Western Sahara in 2020.

Morocco produced an autonomy plan for the region in 2007, which was supported by the United States and several Arab, African, and European states, including Spain, Austria, and the Netherlands.

Winning sovereignty of the territory is a key goal for the Moroccan government, and Israel’s support of this initiative could mean a serious upgrade in diplomatic relations, such as the improvement of liaison offices into fully operational embassies in the two countries.