Morocco Reaffirms Stance on Palestine Amid Israel Ties, Criticizes Algeria's Escalation
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stated that the resumption of relations between Morocco and Israel has not altered Rabat's firm position on the Palestinian issue and will not do so. He emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to the two-state solution and the Palestinian people's right to an independent state, asserting that developing ties with Israel could potentially support Palestinian rights. Bourita dismissed claims that commercial and military relations with Israel are overshadowing the Palestinian cause, calling such interpretations "mistaken."
In parallel, Bourita criticized Algeria's approach to the bilateral dispute, describing it as excessive and escalatory. He rejected accusations of Moroccan military cooperation with Israel and noted his disengagement from Algerian diplomatic statements due to perceived contradictions. Bourita recalled that when Algeria severed ties with Morocco, it cited multiple reasons, with the Morocco-Israel relationship being only one factor among others like the Sahara and the 1963 war.
Bourita clarified that Morocco is not pursuing an escalatory policy toward Algeria, with King Mohammed VI opting against responding to unilateral decisions to avoid prolonged tension. He suggested that excessive posturing can diminish influence, while Morocco maintains a non-escalatory stance. Regarding potential military confrontation, Bourita stated Morocco is not on an escalatory path and prefers focusing on commonalities rather than divisions.
On the Sahara issue, Bourita affirmed Morocco's presence on its territory and its right to self-defense, reiterating support for a UN-mediated settlement based on Moroccan autonomy under its sovereignty. He accused Algeria of obstructing this framework and highlighted Algeria's role as a key party in the conflict due to its frequent involvement in international discussions.
Addressing the African Union's debate on Israel's observer status, Bourita stressed adherence to organizational procedures and criticized attempts to impose specific stances. He noted that 44 African nations have relations with Israel, questioning the inconsistency of accepting bilateral ties while opposing observer status at the AU level, specifically criticizing South Africa's position.
Finally, Bourita discussed the Libyan crisis, acknowledging the self-determined election date from the Geneva talks. He noted that the political process, despite setbacks, has shifted the focus from military confrontation to constitutional and electoral law. Bourita emphasized the importance of preserving existing Libyan institutions and warned against creating an institutional vacuum, advocating for the continuation of the political path over renewed conflict.
