Moroccan Islamist Group Condemns Hosting of Negev Summit, Warns of Sovereignty Risks

"The hasty normalization of relations with Israel and the choice of the Sahara to host these meetings will have serious consequences for national sovereignty and the independence of the country," the two Moroccan organizations said in a joint statement.

The two organizations consider this decision "as a blow to the territorial integrity of Morocco and a great insult to the soul of the martyrs of the Moroccan people who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and sovereignty of the country."

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen announced on January 2 that Morocco would host the second Negev Summit in March between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, the United States and Morocco. The Moroccan authorities have not officially reacted to this information.