Algeria: Israel Backing Morocco Over Western Sahara a 'Flagrant Violation' of International Law

Prime Minister Ayman bin Abdul Rahman - AAWSAT AR
Prime Minister Ayman bin Abdul Rahman - AAWSAT AR
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Algeria: Israel Backing Morocco Over Western Sahara a 'Flagrant Violation' of International Law

Prime Minister Ayman bin Abdul Rahman - AAWSAT AR
Prime Minister Ayman bin Abdul Rahman - AAWSAT AR

Algeria on Thursday denounced Israel's backing of Morocco's "claimed sovereignty" over the disputed Western Sahara region as a "flagrant violation" of international law.

On Monday, the royal cabinet in Rabat said Israel had decided to "recognize Morocco's sovereignty" over the mineral-rich desert region, citing a letter from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The decision "constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, UN Security Council decisions and General Assembly resolutions on the Western Sahara question", the foreign ministry in Algiers said in a statement.

It "shows agreement between the occupiers' policies and their complicity in violating international law", and encroaches upon the "legitimate right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital and of the Sahrawi people to self-determination".

The dispute dates back to 1975, when colonial ruler Spain withdrew from the territory, sparking a 15-year war between Morocco and the Polisario which seeks the territory's independence.

Rabat controls nearly 80 percent of Western Sahara and sees the entire region, home to abundant phosphates and fisheries, as its sovereign territory.

The Polisario continues to demand a UN-supervised referendum on self-determination, which was agreed in a 1991 ceasefire accord but has still not taken place.

On Wednesday, the Polisario slammed Israel's decision as "null and void" and said it would "only reinforce the determination of the Sahrawi people to pursue their national struggle on several fronts".



Egypt Proposes ‘Safe Zones’ in Gaza Reconstruction Plan

Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
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Egypt Proposes ‘Safe Zones’ in Gaza Reconstruction Plan

Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)

Egypt is finalizing a comprehensive plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, which includes the establishment of “safe zones,” as it announced the postponement of an emergency Arab summit on developments in the Palestinian issue to allow for further logistical and substantive preparations.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in an official statement on Tuesday that Cairo will host the emergency Arab summit on March 4.

The ministry added that the new date was set in coordination with Bahrain, which holds the current presidency of the Arab League summit, and after consultations with Arab states.

Egypt had initially announced last week that it would host the emergency Arab summit on February 27.

However, Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki said in a televised interview on Sunday night that the summit was likely to be postponed by a few days for logistical, not political, reasons, emphasizing that Cairo wanted the highest possible turnout of Arab leaders.

The call for an emergency Arab summit came after former US President Donald Trump suggested taking control of Gaza and relocating its residents to neighboring countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan.

The proposal triggered widespread regional and international condemnation and spurred a unified Arab stance rejecting any forced displacement.

Egypt has announced plans to present a comprehensive reconstruction proposal for Gaza that ensures Palestinians remain on their land, a plan currently being coordinated with Arab states.

According to Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper, Cairo has outlined a broad vision for rebuilding Gaza, centered on establishing safe zones for Palestinians.

The plan involves Egyptian and international companies clearing debris and restoring infrastructure within a short timeframe.

The report added that Egypt has called for an international conference on Gaza’s reconstruction, stressing that the scale of destruction requires tens of billions of dollars.

Cairo’s approach, it noted, is based on a practical and actionable plan that preserves Palestinian presence on the ground.