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Israel-Morocco Ties Deal a Blow to Iran

(Israel Hayom-JNS) Israel Kasnett - Last Wednesday, Moroccan King Mohammed VI sent a warm, personal letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel officially recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region, inviting him to visit the kingdom. Israel's decision holds immense significance due to its direct impact on the activities of Iran and its proxy Hizbullah in North Africa, disrupting their efforts to establish roots in the region. Former Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat told JNS that "there is importance in Israel strengthening its position and presence on the African continent, especially at a time when Iran and its partners are trying to establish a foothold in Africa. Despite the impressive progress in relations between Israel and Morocco since normalization, there is still great untapped potential in the economic, technological and political spheres. Additionally, Morocco can play an important role in bringing other North African countries into the peace circle." In an effort to maintain parity with its formidable regional counterpart, Algeria, Morocco has been preparing to acquire an undisclosed number of decommissioned Merkava tanks from Israel. In 2020, when Morocco reestablished diplomatic relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords, the Algerian government initiated a smear campaign against the kingdom. At the same time, discreetly, Algeria engaged in undisclosed business dealings with Israel. Dr. Yechiel Leiter, director-general of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, told JNS, "Morocco shares a long border with Algeria, an ally of Iran, which directly threatens it militarily and through its support for Polisario separatism. Were the Polisario to achieve its goal, Western Sahara would be an Algerian puppet state, contributing to strengthening an Iranian proxy." He noted that the Iranian regime "supplies the Polisario with antiaircraft missiles and drones through the services of Algeria and Hizbullah. Together with the IRGC, Hizbullah is also training Polisario fighters. The Polisario has provided cover for al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), a terrorist group that is active in the Sahel region." "Hizbullah is already deeply involved in West Africa, and the last thing the region needs is another dysfunctional state under the influence of the world's most significant terror and illicit drug trade organization. Morocco stands against the fanatical Islam exported by the ayatollahs and their proxies." Its battle against the Polisario "is also Israel's battle."
2023-07-24 00:00:00
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