Netanyahu’s Election Hopes Rope U.S. Into Africa’s ‘Last Colony’

Israel asked the U.S. to open a consulate in Moroccan-annexed Western Sahara to help it normalize ties with the North African nation, an official said, a move that would bolster both Morocco’s territorial claim and the Israeli leader’s re-election bid.

It’s not clear if Morocco’s government or Washington is on board with Israel’s effort to leverage its closeness to the Trump administration to make the U.S. the only major power with a mission there, the Moroccan official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss secret communications.

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be able to point to such a move as evidence of his diplomatic acumen as he struggles to hold on to his job in next month’s election, popular support in Morocco for the Palestinians’ statehood cause could create significant pushback, despite the prospect for strong business and trade ties. Netanyahu’s office, the Moroccan Foreign Ministry and the U.S. Embassy in Morocco had no comment.