Sahraoui leaders welcome Israel’s recognition of Morocco’s territorial integrity

The recognition by Israel of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara was applauded by Sahraoui leaders and elected officials as a major win for Morocco’s territorial integrity.

Head of Guelmim’s regional council, Mbarka Bouaida welcomed, in a statement to MAP, the Israeli move as “historic.” She said this recognition would add support to Morocco at the international level.

Echoing her, head of Laayoune’s regional council Hamdi Ould Errachid said the Israeli recognition had a “strong legal character” and was part of recent gains made by Morocco in defending its territorial integrity under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.

The Israeli decision will help promote political and economic cooperation between the two countries, said president of Guelmim’s municipal council, Hassan Talbi.

President of the Dakhla Communal Council, Erragheb Hormatallah, said the Israeli decision was conducive to finding a lasting solution to the artificial regional conflict over the Sahara.

He said the Israeli position was part of a series of achievements after tireless diplomatic efforts, adding that the decision will have a beneficial impact in terms of attracting investments notably in the farming sector.

“As elected representatives and residents of the city of Dakhla, we welcomed with great satisfaction the State of Israel’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara,” a decision that will have positive repercussions for the inhabitants of the Dakhla region and all of Morocco’s southern provinces, he said.

Israeli Prime Minister had announced the decision in a letter to King Mohammed VI saying his country would inform the UN and international organizations of its decision and adapt its documents accordingly.

He also said Israel considers positively opening a consulate in Dakhla, joining 28 other countries that have opened diplomatic representations in the Sahara.