Rabat – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again stirred controversy in Morocco by displaying a map that labeled Morocco’s southern provinces separately as “Western Sahara.”
The incident occurred during a press conference on Wednesday. While the map showed Morocco in full, the separate mention of “Western Sahara” at the bottom of the map reignited tensions over Israel’s position on the territorial dispute.
This latest blunder contradicts Israel’s professed recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara. While Israel officially claims to endorse Morocco’s stance on the Sahara dispute, Netanyahu’s repeated actions have cast serious doubt on the sincerity of Tel Aviv’s support for Morocco’s territorial integrity.
In July 2023, Israel officially announced its recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara region.
King Mohammed VI received a letter from Netanyahu, informing the monarch of Israel’s new stance. The Israeli recognition of Morocco’s territorial integrity will be reflected in all relevant acts and documents of the Israeli government, the letter said.
Despite Israel’s official recognition, Wednesday’s incident marks the third time in less than a year that Netanyahu has presented a problematic version of Morocco’s map.
In October 2023 and May 2024, the Israeli leader appeared in public with maps that entirely excluded the Moroccan Sahara, prompting outrage across Morocco.
Though Israeli officials issued what many saw as halfhearted apologies, many Moroccans have grown skeptical of Netanyahu’s intentions. Many interpreted these repeated offenses as deliberate provocations rather than mere mistakes.
Moroccan netizens took to social media to condemn Netanyahu’s latest misstep. Critics of the normalization process between Morocco and Israel, which has remained fragile, voiced their frustration with Netanyahu’s continued disregard for Moroccan sovereignty.
“So our gov wants to normalize the relationship with a guy who is constantly messing with us,” one commenter said on social media.
Another wrote, “Not only are our leaders unbothered by this; they haven’t even rescinded to Netanyahu for an official state visit! The Zionist occupation of our country is deep.”
For many, this latest incident is not just an issue of maps but a broader indication of Israel’s inconsistent foreign policy.
The timing of this controversy is particularly sensitive, as Morocco and Israel’s relations remain strained due to Israel’s brutal war on Gaza.
