Israel reaffirms support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara

Visiting Israel’s Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked reaffirmed on Tuesday her country’s support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.

“Israel reaffirms its support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara,” Shaked told reporters following talks in Rabat with Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita.

The talks focused on “the strong bilateral relations and the common projects that the two countries will accomplish,” she said.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli Interior Minister discussed with her Moroccan peer Abdelouafi Laftit cooperation prospects, as the two countries foster bilateral ties since the resumption of their diplomatic ties in late 2020.

Ayelet Shaked’s visit is part of the momentum of the trilateral accord signed by Morocco, the USA and Israel and comes in a series of similar visits by Israeli government officials.

Prior to Shaked’s visit, Israeli ministers in charge of trade, the economy, defense and foreign affairs have paid visits to Rabat.

Last month, a delegation of Israeli innovation firms held a meeting with their Moroccan counterparts in Casablanca, in a sign of growing economic interest by the business communities for joint projects.

Israeli media reported that Morocco was planning to open its embassy soon in Israel, upgrading its already existing liaison office there.

Israeli trade minister had announced during a visit to Rabat earlier this year that her country aspires to bolster trade with Morocco to 500 million dollars from 130 million currently, buoyed by increasing connectivity between the two countries.

Morocco also hopes direct air links would attract more Israeli tourists to the country which was once home to the largest Jewish community in North Africa.