Israeli think tank recommends 'clear support for Moroccan Sahara issue' to maintain good relations

On the occasion of the second anniversary of the normalization of Moroccan-Israeli relations, the Center for Research on National Security, affiliated with the Israeli University of Tel Aviv, has published a report on the challenges of the new Israeli government led by Benjamin Netanyahu.

For the think tank, one of the challenges facing the Israeli executive will be “maintaining the positive momentum of religious and cultural normalization” with Morocco.

The report, co-authored by three researchers, recalled that “since the signing of the normalization agreement between Israel and Morocco on December 22, 2020, the Moroccan government has intensified its national project to revive the Moroccan Jewish heritage.”

“Morocco considers Israelis of Moroccan origin as part of its community abroad, and refers to this community as the second largest Moroccan community after the one in France,” the source says.

“According to official state estimates, the Moroccan diaspora consists of some five million Moroccans, comprising approximately 15% of the overall population, consisting of some 800,000 individuals.”

The think tank explains that “the positive momentum in Israeli-Moroccan relations cannot be taken for granted in light of the challenges facing these relations, the first of which is Morocco’s position towards the Palestinians.

“Another issue that could weaken relations is the question of Israel’s recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, which is a major issue in Morocco’s foreign relations, as the kingdom expects clear support from its allies, including Israel.”

“Therefore, Israel’s new government will have to invest carefully to maintain the current pace of normalization,” reads the report.

The center also recommended that the new Israeli government “take into account King Mohammed VI’s complex position towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the impact this has on Israeli-Moroccan relations,” explaining that “an escalation of the conflict and the perceived threats against East Jerusalem and its Islamic holy sites in particular, could have a detrimental effect.”

“It is best for the government to avoid stirring up religious tensions in Jerusalem and, at the same time, prepare for escalation scenarios,” say the experts.

The report calls on the Israeli government to “consider ways in which the King can play a more active role in the city, with Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian approval and support.”

A final recommendation stems from a broader understanding of the Abraham Accords and the values they embody, points out the report, explaining that “hardline religious discourse encumbers the ability to promote dialogue and construct mutually respectful and tolerant narratives.”

“Israeli representatives are therefore encouraged to promote ways to engage with Moroccan discourse on religious and cultural pluralism, and consider concrete policies and activities that could advance these ideas, such as promoting dialogue and coexistence between Jews and Muslims in Israel and beyond.”

“Israel should take advantage of the overlapping aspects of its history with Morocco to further develop bilateral relations,” concludes this recent output.