31.05.2024 21:01
The use of a map by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with a French channel that did not show Western Sahara under the sovereignty of Morocco has caused a crisis. Israel issued a statement apologizing to the Rabat government for the scandal. Hassan Kaabia, a spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated, "We apologize for this technical error. All official maps in his office, including the map mistakenly presented in the interview, have been corrected accordingly."
The statement made by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs apologized to Morocco after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a map in his interview with the French channel that did not show Western Sahara under the sovereignty of Morocco.
MOROCCO AND ISRAEL MAP CRISIS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used a map of the Middle East and North Africa in his statement to the French television channel. However, Netanyahu's use of a map that separates Western Sahara from Morocco caused a crisis in Israel-Morocco relations.
"ISRAEL'S POLICY AND DECISION ON THIS ISSUE REMAINS UNCHANGED"
Following the "map crisis" caused by Netanyahu, a statement came from the Israeli Prime Ministry. The statement emphasized that respect is shown for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara and stated, "Israel under the Prime Ministry of Netanyahu officially recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2023. Israel's policy and decision on this issue remains unchanged."
"WE APOLOGIZE"
In a statement made by Hassan Kaabia, spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on social media, it was stated, "We apologize for this technical error. The Israeli government under the presidency of Prime Minister Netanyahu has recognized the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over all its territories, and all official maps in his office, including the map mistakenly presented in the interview, have been corrected accordingly."
WESTERN SAHARA DISPUTE
The Western Sahara dispute dates back to the 1970s when Spain's withdrawal from its colonial territories led to a 15-year war between Morocco and the Algeria-backed Polisario Front. Morocco controls 80% of Western Sahara. On the other hand, Morocco and Israel began to normalize their relations in December 2020.