Israel has decided to consider the disputed Western Sahara as Moroccan, according to Morocco’s foreign ministry, citing a letter from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The announcement is to “strengthen the relations between the states and the peoples, as well as the continued cooperation to improve peace and regional stability,” Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said according to AFP.
Israel is exploring the possibility of opening a consulate in the city of Dakhla, according to the letter, something that has long been requested by Rabat.
Western Sahara is an area claimed by both Morocco and the independence movement Polisario. The conflict began after the Spanish colonial power left the region in 1974. Algeria supports the movement. Attempts by the UN and the international community to resolve the dispute have failed.
In late 2020, former US President Donald Trump backed Morocco’s line in exchange for Morocco agreeing to build diplomatic relations with Israel.