Israel has recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara and is planning to inaugurate a consulate in Dakhla, Rabat announced Monday.
A statement from Morocco's royal palace said Israel's position was expressed in a letter to King Mohammed VI from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Morocco considers Western Sahara its own territory, but the Algerian-backed Polisario Front wants an independent state there. In 2020, then-U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Morocco's claim to the territory in return for Morocco's resumption of diplomatic ties with Israel.
The Israeli position "will be sent to the United Nations, regional and international organizations," the statement from Morocco's royal palace quotes the letter as saying.
Twenty-eight other countries - mostly African and Arab - have opened consulates in Dakhla or the city of Laayoune, in what Morocco sees as tangible support for its Western Saharan rule.
Israel's position on Western Sahara was "clear-cut" and adds to the momentum in Morocco's favor, after Washington and Madrid, in addition to other European capitals, supported its plan for the territory, a senior Moroccan government official told Reuters.
The Israeli recognition would not affect Morocco's "principles" in defending the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he added.
Morocco expects the decision to encourage Israeli investments in the territory, he said.
As an indication of warming ties, the Israeli military earlier on Monday appointed a colonel as defense attaché to Morocco.
Since the resumption of ties, Morocco and Israel have signed cooperation agreements, including a defense pact.
Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen said the announcement by the prime minister would "strengthen the relations between the countries and between the peoples and the continuation of cooperation to deepen regional peace and stability."
