Rabat [Morocco], July 18: Israel has recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, the Moroccan government has said.
It added on Monday that Israel is mulling opening a consulate in Dakhla. A statement from Morocco's royal palace said Israel's position was expressed in a letter to King Mohammed VI from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Morocco has had control of the territory, but little international recognition, since 1975, after Spanish colonial rule ended.
The Algerian-backed Polisario Front demands an independent state in Western Sahara. In 2020, then-US President Donald Trump recognised Morocco's claim to the territory in return for its partial upgrade of relations with Israel. The Israeli position "will be sent to the United Nations, regional and international organisations.as well as all the states Israel has diplomatic relations with," the statement from Morocco's royal palace quotes the letter as saying.
Israel's position on Western Sahara is "clear-cut" and comes as part of a momentum in Morocco's favour, after Washington and Madrid in addition to other European capitals supported its autonomy plan for the territory, a senior government official said. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune