Morocco Condemns Israel’s Publication of Expanded ’Historical’ Maps

Morocco is unhappy with Israel. At the origin of this anger, the publication by Israel of maps representing a "historical Israel", which includes territories belonging to Arab countries such as Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. On Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad issued a statement citing a source from Nasser Bourita’s department stating that Morocco firmly condemns this publication. "These false maps are harmful to the peace efforts in the region," the source said, adding that such actions undermine the two-state solution and the right of the Palestinian people to an independent state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. The same source also reaffirmed Morocco’s solidarity with Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, and stressed its support for their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Did you know that the Kingdom of Israel existed 3,000 years ago?" can be read in the caption of the publication on its official social media accounts of a map representing a "historical Israel" that includes territories belonging to Arab countries such as Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Enough to annoy the Arab countries. In addition to Morocco, Palestine and Jordan have also strongly criticized Israel for publishing these maps on its official accounts. In the eyes of Palestinian officials, this map constitutes a blatant violation of international laws and resolutions, as well as a provocation that undermines peace efforts. They called on the international community, including the United States, to take immediate action against Israeli policies and actions, which they say harm the Palestinian people and destabilize the region.

The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Israel for coinciding the publication of this map with inflammatory statements by Israeli far-right officials, such as Bezalel Smotrich, who advocated the annexation of the West Bank. During an appearance at an event in Paris in March 2023, this Israeli politician stood next to a map representing a so-called "Greater Israel", which included Jordan as part of Israel’s territory, to make a controversial and provocative statement.