argia.eus
INPRIMATU
The Israeli Government formally recognizes Morocco that the Western Sahara depends on them.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a letter to King Mohamed VI of Morocco to take the step of "strengthening relations". On Monday he confirmed his intention to open a consulate in the Saharawi city of Dakhla.
Leire Artola Arin 2023ko uztailaren 19a
Netanyahu Israelgo lehen ministroak gutuna bidali dio Mohamed VI.a erregeari, Marokok Mendebaldeko Sahararen gaineko burujabetza duela formalki aitortzeko. Argazkia: Haim Zach / GPO.

The step towards “strengthening relations” between Morocco and Israel has been confirmed by the authorities of both states on Monday, according to Israel’s foreign minister Eli Cohen. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally stated in his letter to King Mohamed VI of Morocco that he has control over Western Sahara.

Cohen welcomes his decision and underlines that it will contribute to increasing “peace and territorial stability”. The Moroccan authorities hope that this decision will encourage more investment from Israel.

Netanyahu detailed in the letter that “the United Nations, regional and international organizations, as well as all States with which Israel has diplomatic relations, will be informed”. The Israeli Government has announced its intention to open a consulate in the city of Dakhla, south of the occupied Western Sahara. Another 28 states, mostly African and Arab, have consulates in Dakhlan and Laayoune, as the Al Jazeera media has reminded us, and Morocco understands that its control over this territory is a form of protection for the other states.

Protection of Moroccan occupation

Relations between the Israeli and Moroccan authorities began to deepen in 2020. In an agreement with then-US President Donald Trump, Morocco agreed to “normalize the relationship” with Israel and, in return, Trump recognized Morocco that the Western Sahara is under its dependence.

The Spanish PSOE government also did so in March 2022. President Pedro Sánchez approved in his letter to King Mohamed VI the proposal of autonomy of Morocco for the Sahara in 2007, with the aim of "strengthening relations between kingdoms". It received many criticisms and aroused opposition from authorities such as Algeria and China. Several agents and activists accused Spain of taking a decision against most countries of the world and international law. It must be borne in mind that the Sahrawi people do not accept Morocco’s proposal and that the UN calls for a referendum on self-determination to resolve the conflict in the territory “without decolonizing”.