By Rachel Avraham
Last October, the Times of Israel reported that Morocco is likely to make peace with Israel, citing an off-the-record comment from an Israeli minister. This came after Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan did so. And now, Morocco has now decided to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. As part of the announcement, President Donald Trump stated that the US will recognize Morocco’s claim to the Western Sahara.
“This will be a very warm peace. On this Hannukah, the light of peace has never shone brighter than today in the Middle East,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated at a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony at the Western Wall. He said the relationship of the peoples of both countries “has long been characterized by sympathy, respect, fondness and love,” and praised King Mohammed’s “historic decision” to make peace.
Following the recent announcement, former Israeli Communication Minister Ayoob Kara proclaimed: “A number of years ago, I argued that peace was possible with the greater Arab World without the conflict with the Palestinians getting resolved, yet no one believed me. I said that seven more countries will establish diplomatic relations with Israel after the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, and people laughed. I proclaimed that no one can stop the Abraham Accords process and people were shocked. I wish to congratulate President Trump, the King of Morocco and Prime Minister Netanyahu for the new peace deal with Morocco. It is a tremendous achievement and I am glad that it was finally announced. Apparently, no one will be able to stand in the way of Netanyahu’s diplomatic successes.”