Israel reiterates support for Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara

Israel has reaffirmed its position in support of Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over the Sahara region, said Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Gideon Saar, who is in Morocco to broaden the scope of bilateral cooperation.

Following talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Saar told the press that his visit to Rabat was an occasion to express to different Moroccan officials he met Israel’s “support for Morocco’s position on the Sahara issue.”

Saar, who is also Justice Minister, met his Moroccan peer Abdellatif Ouahbi. The two added the judiciary to an array of cooperation areas between the two countries.

In this respect, Israel and Morocco signed a deal to promote cooperation between their respective justice departments.

Saar also met Abdellatif Hammouchi, head of Moroccan police and domestic intelligence. He said on his twitter account talks dealt with shared challenges and threats.

In parallel with Saar’s visit, Esawi Frej, Israeli regional cooperation minister, held talks in Tangier with Morocco’s culture minister Mohamed Bensaid to discuss cultural cooperation.

He also held talks with higher education minister Abdellatif Miraoui focusing on promoting cooperation between universities from the two countries.

The visits of Saar and Frej are part of a momentum in bilateral ties that has been ongoing since the two countries agreed to resume diplomatic ties in 2020.

Many other Israeli ministers had visited Morocco from the departments of defense, the interior, foreign affairs, economy and the industry as well as Israel’s top general and representatives of key Israeli companies such as IAE.