In a recent interview, Lior Hayat, a spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized Israel’s commitment to developing and strengthening bilateral relations with Morocco.
He discussed the importance of upgrading diplomatic missions between the two countries to the level of embassies and highlighted the positive impact such advancements would have on ties between the governments and the people of Israel and Morocco.
The interview also touched upon the implications of Israel’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and its potential for regional stability and peace in the Middle East.
He said that his country “is determined to continue working with Morocco to develop and strengthen bilateral relations at all levels,” stressing the importance of “upgrading diplomatic missions between the two to the level of embassies in strengthening ties between the two governments and the Moroccan and Israeli peoples.”
The same official stated, in the interview with Hespress AR, that the good relations between Morocco and Israel enhance the chances of regional stability and peace in the Middle East region, stressing that “there are countries that prefer conflict and violence to dialogue and peace,” calling for “the necessity of cooperation in order to confront Iranian threats in the region.”
Israel recognized the Moroccan Sahara more than two years after the return of diplomatic relations between the two countries in late 2020. Why did this step take so long?
First, it should be noted that Israel’s resumption of its diplomatic relations with Morocco in December 2020 is an important step towards promoting stability and achieving prosperity in the Middle East region.
From that moment on, we entered into a serious and broad dialogue with the Moroccan government on a number of issues and files, including the Sahara file. This dialogue has gained great momentum since the current Israeli government assumed its duties.
In my opinion, the result of this dialogue, represented by Israel’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, is more important than the time it took to discuss this step, and we in Israel are determined to continue working with Morocco to advance and strengthen our relations at all levels.
What is your interpretation of the future of relations between Morocco and Israel after this recognition?
We believe that the strengthening of relations between Israel and Morocco, including the relations between the governments of the two countries, as well as the promotion of trade, tourism, and investments, is of great importance.
In this context, it must be noted that there is a Jewish community in Morocco that has lived in this country for hundreds of years, on the other hand, there is a Moroccan community in Israel that constitutes an important proportion of Israeli society.
These two communities are a cultural bridge between our two countries, and I am confident that the good relations between Israel and Morocco will enhance regional stability and contribute to achieving prosperity and prosperity for the peoples of the two countries, and it will also enhance the chances of peace in the Middle East.
Israel confirmed that it is studying positively the opening of a consulate for it in the Moroccan city of Dakhla, and you are definitely waiting, in turn, for a Moroccan step to upgrade the Israeli liaison office in Rabat to the rank of an embassy. Is there an agreement with Rabat on a specific date for these two steps?
In fact, raising the level of both the Moroccan mission in Israel and the Israeli mission in the Kingdom of Morocco to the status of embassies is of great importance, and is another sign of strengthening the ties between the governments and peoples of the two countries, but at the present time there is no specific date for this step, but we hope that it will happen soon.
Do you think that your new position is far ahead of the position of the Palestinian National Authority on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara?
I do not think there is room for comparison between the two positions. The prime minister’s letter addressed to King Mohammed VI recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, and this is Israel’s policy.
This recognition is not perceived with satisfaction by Algeria first, and the Polisario Front second, how do you deal with this matter?
All I can say in this context is that the State of Israel extends its hand to all countries to achieve peace in the region, but unfortunately, there are still some countries that prefer conflict, violence, and hatred to dialogue and peace.
Personally, I believe that the transformations and changes that resulted from the peace agreements will lead the process of normalization in other countries in the region and the Middle East, and this will achieve a better future for all our people.
As a last question, Israel finally appointed a military attaché in Morocco. Will this help in confronting Iranian influence in the region? Will we witness a Moroccan-Israeli alliance in this context?
First, it must be emphasized that Iran poses a major threat to peace and stability in the Middle East and the entire world.
Everywhere you can find Iranian fingerprints, you will only see poverty, deprivation, violence, and terrorism, and this is the situation in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, and wherever Tehran tries to promote its Islamic revolution.
We see attempts by Iran and its terrorist organizations to infiltrate the Middle East, Europe, and elsewhere around the world. Therefore, cooperation to confront these Iranian threats serves the common interest of all countries in the region.
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