Israel

Israel Recognizes Western Sahara as Part of Morocco

JUL 18 2023·Updated AUG 27

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Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

The Facts

Israel has recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, the Moroccan government and a statement from the Israeli prime minister's office said on Monday, joining the US as the only two countries to recognize Morocco's territorial claims to Western Sahara.
Le Monde
The announcement from Morocco's royal palace confirmed an earlier statement from the government, which said that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu had communicated his country's new stance in a letter to King Mohammed VI. The statement also said that Israel was considering opening a consulate in Dakhla.
Reuters
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said that the recognition of Western Sahara as Moroccan territory "will strengthen relations between the countries and the nations," thereby advancing regional stability.
VOA
The prime minister's office said in its statement that the decision would be transmitted to the UN and other international organizations as well as to all countries with which Israel maintains diplomatic relations.
The Times of Israel
Rabat has called for a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination, but it has never materialized. The Polisario independence movement says it has been in "a war of legitimate defence [sic]" since 2020 and has declared all of Western Sahara a "war zone."
RFI
Morocco has had control of Western Sahara since 1975 after Spanish colonial rule ended. The Algerian-backed Polisario Front, which claims to be the legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, has been fighting for independence from Morocco.
Al Jazeera

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Following Washington's lead, Israel is going through with the upgrading of its diplomatic ties with Rabat by recognizing Morocco's claim of sovereignty over the Western Sahara. The move will eventually lead to the opening of official embassies and a possible future free-trade pact — developments that would help bring stability to the region.

Haaretz

Establishment-critical narrative

The UN doesn't recognize Moroccan control over Western Sahara as the territory is considered a "non-self-governing territory," but it hasn't yet lived up to its long-promised referendum, which would establish the territory's status. Morocco controls more than three-quarters of Western Sahara and doesn't allow any pro-independence opposition of any form. Under international law, Morocco has no authority over Western Sahara.