Israel Links Western Sahara Move to Morocco Hosting Negev Forum

Facts

• On Monday, Israel linked its potential recognition of Morocco's territorial claims to Western Sahara with Morocco hosting the Negev Forum between Israel and Arab states involved in a US-sponsored regional drive for Arab normalization with Israel.¹
• Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said that Israel is "now working in regards to this issue" and a "final decision" would occur at the Forum, which he expects to take place in September or October.²
• Morocco first postponed the forum in March, citing tensions in the West Bank, before delaying it again in June due to the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha.³
• Though relations have become shakier between Israel and the Arab countries that signed the 2020 Abraham Accords regarding the situation in the West Bank, trade between Israel and Morocco from January-May 2023 increased by over 110% compared to the first five months of 2022.⁴
• Israel and Morocco began a low-level diplomatic relationship during the 1990s, but this was suspended after the second Intifada in 2000. Morocco signed on to the Abraham Accords in 2020 during the Trump admin. in exchange for US recognition of Morocco's claim over Western Sahara.⁵
• Morocco took control of Western Sahara following the end of Spanish colonial rule in 1975 — leading to the outbreak of conflict between the Moroccan military and the Algerian-supported Polisario Front, which wants Western Sahara to be an independent state.²

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²Al Jazeera, ³Middle East Eye, ⁴Jerusalem Post, and ⁵The Times of Israel.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Morocco World News. Though Morocco would of course like to have good relations with Israel, this can't happen while Israel continues to breach its promises regarding settlement expansion in the West Bank and the security situation deteriorates. Morocco would always appreciate the recognition of its sovereignty over Western Sahara, but the political context of any agreement needs to be beneficial to all parties.
• Narrative B, as provided by The Times of Israel. Israel wants good relations just as much as Morocco does. Ultimately, the Negev Forum has not been canceled, just postponed, as Morocco is understandably waiting for things in the West Bank to cool down first. Israel is only interested in peace and is more than happy to see an increasing number of Arab nations find common ground.
• Cynical narrative, as provided by Intercept. Both Israel and Morocco are in the wrong. Israel is supporting war crimes in Western Sahara against the Sahrawi people, and no agreement between the two nations will change that fact. Morocco's occupation of Western Sahara, which itself resembles Israel's occupation of the West Bank, is also a breach of international law and must be opposed.