Israel reveals condition for recognition of Morroco’s claim to Western Sahara

The recognition of Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara is, according to Israel, subject to its hosting of a forum of foreign ministers which has been consistently postponed.

Last month, Morocco, because of Israeli policies on the Palestinians, postponed a so-called Negev Forum of Israel and Arab states, which it had been due to convene.

Israeli Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen established the link at a briefing while responding to questions on what Israel sought in return for a recognition of Western Sahara as Moroccan, and whether it planned to open a consulate in the territory.

“We are right now working in regards to this issue and we plan to have our final decision in the Negev Forum,” he told reporters, adding that he expected the Moroccan-hosted event to take place in September or October.

According to sources, Morocco could establish full relations with Israel – with their current mid-level diplomatic missions repurposed as embassies – in exchange for Israeli recognition of Morocco’s claim.

In 2020, Morocco improved ties with Israel thanks to the support of then-US President Donald Trump, who acknowledged Rabat’s control over the Western Sahara, where the Polisario Front, which is backed by Algeria, calls for the creation of an independent state. However, Joe Biden has not opened a consulate there.

The Western Sahara conflict is an ongoing conflict between the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic/Polisario Front and the Kingdom of Morocco that dates back to the 1960s. Since 1963, Morocco has insisted on ownership. It considers the entire Western Sahara an integral component of its Kingdom and solely refers to it as “Moroccan Sahara”, “Saharan provinces”, or “Southern Provinces.”