Israel ministers reveal Western Sahara water project

Israeli Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Ofir Akunis revealed on Thursday that Israel is running a water project in Western Sahara, which it recognises as Moroccan territory, Moroccan World News reported.

“An Israeli company recently launched an aquaculture water project in the Moroccan Sahara,” Akunis announced during the United Nations (UN) 2023 Water Conference.

The Israeli minister added: “This, and other areas of cooperation, have been made possible by the Abraham Accords.”

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Israel i24NEWS reported an Israeli statement that Akunis met with Morocco’s Water Minister Nizar Bracha as part of a series of meetings held by Akunis at the UN Water Conference in New York.

“This is the first meeting between ministers of the two governments since the establishment of the [Netanyahu] government,” the statement confirmed.

The two discussed deepening cooperation between the two countries.

In December 2022, Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for his country’s provision of a “safe haven” for Jews during World War Two.

“When millions of Jews faced the horrors of the Holocaust in the 20th century, King Mohammed V provided a safe haven for his Jewish subjects,” Herzog said.

“Moroccan Jews recall with pride and affection the memory of your grandfather, His Majesty King Mohammed V, who is remembered as the protector and guardian of Jews in his realm,” Herzog expressed.

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