Officials have stated that the National Security Adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is visiting Rabat today, Wednesday, at a time when the Israeli government is considering a potential announcement recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region. A diplomatic source told Reuters that Israel taking a stance regarding Western Sahara could lead to a full upgrade of its diplomatic relations with Morocco, transforming its diplomatic missions, which are currently designated as liaison offices, into embassies, with the possibility of a future free trade agreement.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry declined to comment. However, a source in Netanyahu's government mentioned that the National Security Council is discussing the matter. The Moroccan Foreign Ministry stated that Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi met today with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, but the ministry did not provide further details.
Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said he would meet with his counterparts from the signatory countries of the Abraham Accords in Morocco "within weeks." Speaking to Kan Israeli Radio, Cohen did not specify a date or location for the upcoming meeting known as the "Negev Forum," which first took place last year.
Morocco considers Western Sahara to be part of its territory, but the Algeria-backed Polisario Front demands an independent state there. In 2020, former U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the region in exchange for a partial upgrade of relations with Israel.
