Moroccan Sahara Issue: King Welcomes Israel’s Recognition

His Majesty King Mohammed VI has sent a message to the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Mr. Benyamin Netanyahu, in which the Sovereign affirms that the State of Israel’s “important” decision to recognize the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its Sahara and to favorably consider the opening of a Consulate in the city of Dakhla is “both just and far-sighted.”

“I would like to express my sincere thanks and deep appreciation for your letter informing me of the State of Israel’s decision to recognize the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its Sahara, and to favorably consider the opening of a Consulate in the city of Dakhla,” emphasizes His Majesty the King in this message, adding that this decision “has been warmly welcomed by the Moroccan people and the nation’s driving forces.”

His Majesty the King points out that the Moroccan Sahara issue is “the national cause of the Kingdom and is the priority of our foreign policy,” adding that “your important decision is both just and far-sighted.”

“It is just in that it reaffirms Morocco’s legal entitlement to, and irrefutable historical rights over, its Saharan Provinces,” notes the Sovereign, adding that “the definite jurisdiction of the Moroccan State and the legal ties of allegiance which have existed, since time immemorial, between the Kings of Morocco and the Moroccan populations inhabiting these territories – which have always been so dear to the hearts of Morocco’s Monarchs – are both well-established and undeniable.”

“Your decision is also far-sighted because it is in line with the irreversible international dynamic that has seen many countries, from all parts of the world, backing a final solution to this anachronistic regional dispute, on the basis of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative for the Sahara region, within the framework of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” continues His Majesty the King.

The Sovereign also recalls that since December 2020, bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of Israel have gone from strength to strength in all sectors.

“The momentum characterizing our ties is unprecedented, be it in terms of the exchange of visits by officials and the business community, the development of the bilateral framework, the diversification of our cooperation or the consolidation of trade relations,” notes His Majesty the King, welcoming the fact that the deep human bonds that exist between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of Israel – notably through the Jewish community of Moroccan origin – have been serving as a catalyst.

The Sovereign expresses his confidence that the clear position taken by Mr. Netanyahu, on behalf of the State of Israel, regarding the Moroccanness of the Sahara “will contribute to closer ties between Morocco and Israel,” assuring him of His firm and unwavering commitment.

“As I indicated during our telephone conversation on 25 December 2020, you are welcome to visit Morocco on a mutually agreed date, to be determined through diplomatic channels,” His Majesty the King stresses in the message.

In this context, the Sovereign affirms that this meeting “will open up new possibilities for bilateral relations between Morocco and Israel” and “will also be an opportunity to promote the prospects of peace for all peoples in the region, bearing in mind the content of the Tripartite Declaration signed on 22 December 2020 by the Kingdom of Morocco, the United States of America and the State of Israel, including the principles which should guide the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

The royal reply letter to the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, constituted an occasion in which His Majesty the King renewed Morocco’s firm position regarding the Palestinian issue and its adherence to the principles expressed in the tripartite declaration issued on December 22, 2020, especially with regard to the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

This tripartite declaration confirmed the balanced and firm position of the Kingdom of Morocco regarding the Palestinian issue and the position expressed regarding the importance of preserving the special character of the Holy City of Jerusalem in relation to the three monotheistic religions and His Majesty’s position as Chairman of the Jerusalem Committee.

He also stressed that the relations between Morocco and Israel would serve the cause of peace in the region, contribute to improving regional security, and open new horizons for the entire region.

The royal invitation to the Israeli Prime Minister highlights the historical and active role that Morocco has been playing, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, in bringing the peoples of the region closer together and supporting peace and stability in the Middle East.

It also affirms his strong and constructive involvement for the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the region, and evokes the special ties between His Majesty and the Moroccan Jewish community residing in Morocco and throughout the world, including Israel.

There is no doubt that this visit by the Israeli Prime Minister would constitute an opportunity to enhance the prospects for peace for the benefit of all the peoples of the region and an opportunity to push for the re-launch of the peace process, which is dangerously deadlocked and warns of serious consequences for the entire region.
Morocco believes that it is necessary to get out of the logic of conflict to the logic of consensus and dialogue, and to overcome the current situation by giving way to political negotiation and strengthening confidence-building measures between the two parties.
Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, remains convinced and believing that peace is the strategic option for the Middle East region and that the path of negotiations and dialogue is the only and unique way to reach a just settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, according to the two-state solution, living together Side by side in safety and security.