A young girl waves a Moroccan and a Palestinian flag during a protest against normalizing relations with Israel, in Rabat, Morocco, Sept. 18, 2020 (AP photo by Mosa’ab Elshamy).
Morocco’s Normalization Deal With Israel Is Another Obvious Quid Pro Quo
Editor’s Note: Every Monday, Managing Editor Frederick Deknatel highlights a major unfolding story in the Middle East, while curating some of the best news and analysis from the region. Subscribers can adjust their newsletter settings to receive Middle East Memo by email every week.
The United Arab Emirates got armed Reaper drones and the coveted F-35, becoming the first Arab county to fly the most advanced U.S. fighter jet, despite Israel’s initial objections. Sudan got much-needed economic aid and the promise of being removed from Washington’s list of state sponsors of terrorism, freeing up billions of dollars in more international assistance—which, sure enough, happened Monday. Not to be outdone, Morocco got American recognition of its sovereignty claims over Western Sahara, a disputed region whose status was supposed to be resolved by an eventual referendum, as mandated by the U.N. Security Council. ...