Yasser Harrak: How does Moroccan-Israeli normalization benefit the Moroccan people?
Daniel Pipes: Moroccans benefit by having one less enemy, by a defense agreement with a powerful ally, by taking a step toward religious tolerance, and by winning new support in the West.
YH: Can this normalization of diplomatic relations strengthen the Moroccan claims for territorial integrity against the Algerian-backed Sahrawi separatists?
DP: Clearly, yes, as the agreement with Israel also brought U.S. recognition of Moroccan claims to the area formerly known as the Western Sahara.
YH: There are rumors that Iran is training the Sahrawi separatists in Algeria to use the Hezbollah tactics. If so is true, can Morocco have the upper hand over its borders with Israeli support?
DP: We do not know all the details about the Morocco-Israel defense agreement but it does include intelligence sharing could well include assistance of this sort.
YH: How do Iran and Algeria use the question of Palestine to deceive the Muslim world?
DP: Governments such as those in Iran and Algeria find the Palestinian issue useful to inflame emotions and distract their own populations from the problems at home.
