US Recognition of Western Sahara Linked to Morocco-Israel Diplomatic Thaw, Expert Says

"It is definitely a transaction. The Moroccans do not use the word ’normalization’ but in practice it is about extending relations that have always been there, and for the Moroccans it reinforces their image in the West as a liberal, tolerant, open, multicultural country that values its Jewish heritage (...) The question is what price did the Moroccans pay? They have calculated the price in terms of domestic politics of this measure," he said in an interview with AFP.

According to the specialist’s explanations, since Morocco closed its liaison office in Israel, and the Israeli liaison office in Morocco in the early 2000s, King Mohammed VI has preferred to maintain a low profile by maintaining relations with Israel, developing these relations, but keeping them under the radar, because there is opposition within the country to these relations from Islamists, nationalists, and people close to the Palestinians.

"For the monarchy, the question was therefore: what benefit can we derive from this? And there was never enough benefit that Israel alone could offer in order to reverse the decision to close (these liaison offices). Israel may have lobbied Washington in favor of Morocco on the issue of the Western Sahara, or for aid to Morocco, but it was not enough," he analyzed, noting that the situation has completely changed with the U.S. recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara.