A source in Netanyahu’s cabinet told Reuters the issue was being discussed within Israel’s National Security Council

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s national security adviser visited Rabat on Wednesday as his government mulls a possible announcement of the recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara, officials told Reuters.

Morocco considers Western Sahara to be part of its sovereign territory but the Algeria-backed Polisario Front defends a separatist agenda. In 2020, then-US President Donald Trump recognised Morocco’s rule over the territory in return for its partial upgrade of relations with Israel.

A diplomatic source told Reuters Israel’s Western Sahara move could lead to a full upgrade of its diplomatic ties with Rabat, with their diplomatic missions, currently designated liaison offices, becoming embassies and a free-trade pact possible down the line.

Israel’s foreign ministry declined comment on the issue. But a source in Netanyahu’s cabinet acknowledged it was being discussed within the Israel’s National Security Council.

Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, met Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita on Wednesday in Tabat, Morocco’s foreign ministry said without offering further details.

The head of Israel’s diplomatic mission in Rabat said on Tuesday that  Israeli and Moroccan foreign ministries were discussing Western Sahara and “the final decision will be a decision made by both our ministers.”

Winning support for its stand on Western Sahara is a key goal of Moroccan diplomacy, which has been emboldened by Trump’s recognition and the ensuing support of Western powers, such as former occupier Spain, for its autonomy plan.

‘Different desert’

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said on Wednesday that he and counterparts from Abraham Accords countries would convene in Morocco “within weeks”.

Speaking on Israel’s Kan radio, he did not provide a date nor venue for the so-called “Negev Forum” after the Israeli desert where it first convened last year.

At that meeting, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said: “I hope we will meet very soon in a different desert but with the same spirit.”