Netanyahu's Map Error Strains Israel-Morocco Relations, Prompting Apology

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked a diplomatic crisis with Morocco after displaying a map that showed Western Sahara as a separate entity from Morocco during an interview with French news channel LCI on Thursday.

The map, used to illustrate regional threats to Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Iran-backed Hamas militants in Gaza, contradicted Israel's official recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara established in July 2023. This recognition was part of a US-brokered normalization deal.

Morocco, which normalized diplomatic relations with Israel in December 2020 in exchange for this recognition, expressed outrage over the incident. Moroccan media and social media users condemned Netanyahu's actions, accusing him of disrespecting Morocco's territorial claims.

In response to the backlash, Netanyahu's office issued a statement in Arabic on Friday, reiterating Israel's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. The statement emphasized that Israel's policy remains 'steadfast and unchanged.'

Why this matters: The diplomatic fallout from Netanyahu's map error has significant implications for international relations, highlighting the importance of accurate representation in global diplomacy. This incident could lead to a deterioration in Israel-Morocco relations, affecting regional stability and cooperation.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry also issued an official apology, describing the map's depiction as an 'unintentional mistake' and a 'technical error.' Hassan Kaabia, the ministry's spokesperson for Arab media, extended a direct apology to King Mohammed VI, reaffirming Israel's recognition of Western Sahara as part of Moroccan territory.

The Western Sahara dispute dates back to 1975, when Spain withdrew from the territory, leading to a 15-year war between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the region. Morocco controls nearly 80% of Western Sahara and views the entire territory as its sovereign land, rich in phosphates and fisheries.

The normalization deal between Israel and Morocco was part of the US-backed Abraham Accords, which also saw the United States recognize Western Sahara as part of Morocco in return for Rabat establishing ties with Israel.

Netanyahu's map gaffe has highlighted the sensitive nature of the Western Sahara issue and the complexities of diplomatic relations in the region. The incident has strained the ties between Israel and Morocco, which had been improving since the normalization deal.

In a statement, Netanyahu's office reiterated that 'Israel's policy is unequivocal and has not changed — Israel recognizes Morocco's sovereignty in Western Sahara.'

The diplomatic fallout from Netanyahu's map error highlights the importance of accurate representation in international relations and the potential consequences of seemingly minor mistakes on the global stage.

Key Takeaways

• Israeli PM Netanyahu sparks diplomatic crisis with Morocco over Western Sahara map.
• Map displayed during interview contradicts Israel's official recognition of Moroccan sovereignty.
• Morocco expresses outrage, accuses Netanyahu of disrespecting territorial claims.
• Israel's Foreign Ministry issues apology, reaffirms recognition of Western Sahara as part of Morocco.
• Incident highlights importance of accurate representation in global diplomacy.