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Rabat – Morocco’s Dakhla is set to host the ministerial meeting of the next Negev Forum in January.
Moroccan sources confirmed the news to Israeli news outlet i24News, also expressing hope that Palestinian officials will participate in the negotiation of the Negev Forum.
The symposium concerns the second ministerial meeting of the Negev Forum, which will take place in January 2023. An official date for the event is not yet confirmed.
The ministerial meeting is set to convene officials from the US, Israel, Egypt, UAE, Jordan, and Bahrain, a group of countries that are vocal about their support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The US recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020. The UAE, Jordan, and Bahrain have all opened diplomatic representations in the southern provinces of Dakhla or Laayoune, reflecting their support for the Moroccan position.
Israel and Egypt have frequently expressed support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a good basis to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Israel views Morocco as the “most mutually acceptable” and best potential broker for a genuine deal between Israel and Palestinians.
Israel Minister for Regional Cooperation Issawi Frej stressed Morocco’s role in regional politics emphasizing that the North African country is an “acceptable and friendly” country that can contribute to encouraging a real conversation between Palestine and Israel.
Morocco supports a two-state political solution to end the Palestine-Israel dispute. The North African country also continues to express support for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the importance of guaranteeing Palestinians an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Last week, Israeli news outlet the Times of Israel quoted four officials from the US and the Middle East who confirmed that Morocco will host the second annual Negev ministerial meeting.
The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the UAE is also preparing to host the Negev Forum groups, which are tasked to promote cooperation in security, water security, and energy, among others.
The Negev meeting also seeks to secure Jordan’s participation. Jordan did not attend the Negev Forum meeting, which took place in March in Israel.
The Times of Israel quoted Jordanian officials saying that they are not prepared to join the Negev gatherings “as long as the Palestinians aren’t at the table as well.”
