Netanyahu Apologizes for Map Error, Reaffirms Morocco’s Sovereignty Over Western Sahara

"The Israeli government recognizes the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over all its territories and all official maps in the Prime Minister’s office have been corrected accordingly," the office of Benjamin Netanyahu specified on Friday in a post on X (formerly Twitter), admitting "a regrettable error." The spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hassan Kaabia, also profusely apologized for this "unintentional error." "Due to an unintentional error, a major media controversy erupted concerning the map used by Benjamin Netanyahu, which showed Morocco without its Sahara," he explained. Also, he wanted to clarify to King Mohammed VI, as well as to his beloved people and his government that "Morocco is in its Sahara until God inherits the Earth." And to reassure: "Israel will not go back on its historic recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara."

When questioned about the "ultimate goal" of Israel in Gaza, during an interview broadcast on Thursday on the LCI channel, Benjamin Netanyahu supported his argument by showing a map of Morocco without the Sahara. A similar error had already been made during the reception of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Tel Aviv. A map of Morocco without the Sahara was displayed in the office of the Israeli Prime Minister. This caused the outrage of the Moroccan people. To nip any controversy in the bud, Benjamin Netanyahu had stated that Israel is 100% committed to the Abraham Accords and all the mutual obligations arising therefrom, including the recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. Thus, he had assured that the old maps of Morocco without its Sahara will be replaced by new maps reflecting Israel’s new position.