Israel Recognizes Moroccan Sovereignty Over the Sahara

The July 2023 Recognition

On 17 July 2023, the Royal Palace in Rabat announced that Israel had recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. The recognition came in a letter from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to King Mohammed VI.

Israel thereby became the second country, after the United States, to formally recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.

Roots in the Abraham Accords

The recognition followed the December 2020 normalization agreement between Morocco and Israel, concluded as part of the Abraham Accords. That same period saw the US recognize Moroccan sovereignty.

The 2023 step was widely seen as a maturing of bilateral relations, with both sides moving to upgrade liaison offices toward fuller diplomatic representation.

Morocco's Response

King Mohammed VI expressed his thanks to Israel for the decision, describing the recognition as an important development for the Kingdom's core national cause.

Rabat framed the move as further proof of the autonomy plan's growing international acceptance and of the strength of its diplomatic outreach.

Practical Implications

The recognition was expected to facilitate cooperation across diplomatic, economic and other sectors, removing barriers that had limited the pace of bilateral engagement.

While the regional context has remained complex, the recognition stands as a formal element of Israeli policy toward the territory.

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