Israel tied, on Monday, its imminent decision on whether to recognize Morocco’s claim to Sahara with Morocco’s expeditious hosting of the long-delayed Negev Forum, the long-anticipated assembly of foreign ministers involved in a U.S.-sponsored, regional ties resumption effort, reported Reuters.
Morocco enhanced ties with Israel in 2020, prompted by then-US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Rabat’s control over the Sahara. However, Trump’s successor, President Joe Biden, has yet to open a consulate in Dakhla.
When questioned as to what Israel expected in exchange for recognizing the Sahara as Moroccan territory, and whether it planned to open a consulate there, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen deferred the matter to anticipated deliberations at the summit.
“We are currently working on this issue, and our plan is to make our final decision at the Negev Forum,” he told the press, adding that the Moroccan-hosted event would likely take place in September or October.
Recently, the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA), an independent Israeli research center, has urged Israel to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara.