Morocco backs Palestinian state recognition at UN assembly
Morocco backs a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly, possibly at the detriment to its cosy relationship with Israel.
According to Yabiladi, at the most recent UN General Assembly on September 12th, Morocco joined 141 other countries in endorsing a two-state solution for the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel.
The assembly follows a conference held at the UN headquarters in New York from July 28th to July 30th. This conference set the groundwork for the General Assembly vote, establishing a declaration which aimed to push the prospect of a two-state solution.
The declaration states that countries who endorse it will work together to stop the conflict in Gaza and reach a fair, peaceful, and lasting resolution to the war, rooted in the fulfilment of a two-state solution.
Many European countries such as France and Germany were part of the 142 that voted in favour of the declaration, however Israel and the US were conveniently amongst the 10 that voted against it.
Morocco’s vote seemingly stands consistent with its public stance towards the war, in which the country has been consistently expressing solidarity with the suffering Palestinians. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita reportedly expressed his support for the two-state solution, emphasising how the existence of a Palestinian state is key to regional stability.
Bourita asserted the necessity of peace on a strategic level to lay the foundations for a autonomous Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem serving as its capital.
For Rabat, the two-state solution has long been viewed as the most viable path to peace. Reportedly, Bourita reaffirmed his country’s support for it on May 20th, where alongside the Netherlands, Morocco co-hosted the fifth meeting of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
Despite this, Morocco continues to adopt a policy of normalisation with Israel. The two countries have recently had growing defence ties, with Tel Aviv becoming Morocco’s key weapons supplier.
In addition, the kingdom has previously allowed an Israeli naval ship to dock at the port of Tangier, where it refuelled and collected supplies.
Yabiladi, Maghrebi.org
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