A report from Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) has detailed some of the nuances behind Israel’s recent recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, including the possibility that Morocco goes back on some commitments with Israel as it continues showing support for the Palestinian cause.
Though the recognition is set to bolster the already rapidly advancing ties between the two countries, the report notes that there is a strong possibility that Morocco eventually goes back on some of its agreements with Tel-Aviv.
“This apprehension stems from Morocco’s domestic and inter-Arab considerations, especially its longstanding commitment to the Palestinian issue, which garners significant popularity among many in Morocco and across the Arab world,” the research explains.
The inability to guarantee the fulfillment of some of these obligations is exacerbated by the recent escalations in the conflict between Palestine and Israel, especially as Morocco tries to balance its developing ties with its support for the Palestinian cause as an Arab country.
Over recent months, Moroccan officials have condemned Israel several times for violations against Palestinians and escalations to the conflict.
The most recent of these came after Israel’s Minister of Security Itamar Ben-Gvir led an incursion into the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, considered one of the holiest sites for Muslims.
A source from Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Friday Morocco’s condemnation for the “persistence of incursions by certain Israeli officials into the Al Aqsa Mosque and its esplanade with the participation of certain extremists.”
Furthermore, the report points to Israel’s escalations –particularly its policy of extending control in the West Bank – as a reason why relations between Rabat will struggle to reach higher levels, such as the establishment of an embassy.
“Such measures could amplify existing criticism of Israeli-Moroccan relations, which is already heard in some quarters – including by the Islamist party that was in power when the normalization agreement was signed,” the researchers explain. “Furthermore, there is considerable hostility toward Israel among the general Moroccan public.”
An October 2022 report from the Arab Barometer showed that 64% of Moroccans oppose the normalization of relations between the two countries to some extent.
Of the Moroccans surveyed, the report found that 34% “strongly oppose” the resumption of ties, while 30% said they “oppose” it. Another 23% were in favor of the relations, while only a meager 8% reported being “strongly in favor” of the normalization.
Morocco re-established its diplomatic relation with Israel in December 2020, as part of a tripartite deal with the US, which also saw the latter formally recognize the North African country’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Western Sahara.
Since then, bilateral relations have developed steadily, especially in the fields of trade, tourism, and defense, but Morocco has continued displaying its support for the Palestinian cause and condemning Israeli escalations.
