Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani stressed that his country will not give up its principles in support of the Palestinian cause, and said that normalization with Israel is a difficult decision, and that is why it was "delayed until this time."
Speaking to Al-Jazeera within Al-Harvest, Al-Othmani said, "Morocco will never descend from the level of the Arab initiative. Rather, our constants are higher than the initiative."
The Arab Peace Initiative provides for the withdrawal of Israel from all Arab lands, the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders and the return of refugees, in exchange for Arab countries' recognition of Israel and normalization of relations with it.
The meeting dealt with US President Donald Trump's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara, and the announcement by the Moroccan Royal Court at the same moment to resume relations with Israel.
The Moroccan Prime Minister stressed the importance of the US government's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the territory of Western Sahara.
Morocco considers the Western Sahara region as part of its territory, while the Polisario Front demands that the region's residents be granted the right to self-determination and to choose between independence or remaining within Morocco.
Othmani pointed out that 18 countries have opened their consulates in the cities of Western Sahara, which are practical steps that confirm these countries' recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara.
The necessity of synchronization
On the coincidence of the American move and Morocco's announcement of the resumption of relations with Israel, Othmani said, "We do not want there to be a quid pro quo for the Sahara issue."
Explaining that the necessity necessitated the synchronization of the two steps.
In some stages, he said, countries take "difficult decisions ... and today the possibility of an important step for the future looms on the horizon."
"I tell the Palestinians that a strong and united Morocco is better able to support the Palestinian cause," he added.
He stressed that "Morocco has foundations in dealing with the Palestinian issue and will remain true to these principles."
He pointed out that King Mohammed VI of Morocco stressed to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas the need to preserve the special status of Jerusalem.
"His Majesty the king called Abbas directly to tell him that Morocco places the Palestine issue in the place of the Sahara issue," Al-Othmani said.