Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has revealed plans to recognise Morocco's sovereignty over a Western Sahara region.
Mr Netanyahu made the announcement in a letter sent to King Mohammed VI, Morocco's Map state news agency said.
“In this regard, the Israeli Prime Minister affirmed that his country's position will be embodied in all the relevant works and documents of the Israeli government,” it said.
In his message, Mr Netanyahu said Israel was considering opening a consulate in the Moroccan city of Dakhla.
Last month, Israel's National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi visited Rabat to discuss Israel's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara region.
The area is claimed by Morocco, which controls 80 per cent of its territory, but the Algeria-backed Polisario Front continues to demand a referendum on it becoming an independent state.
The two sides fought a 15-year war over the territory after Spanish colonial forces withdrew in 1975.
Morocco resumed ties with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords in 2020, encouraged by then US president Donald Trump, who recognised Rabat's rule over the region.
But President Joe Biden has not followed through by opening a consulate there.
The Israeli military also appointed its first attaché to Morocco on Monday. Col Sharon Itach, of Moroccan origin, is leading the country's Home Front Command.
It comes after the military sent its first delegation of troops for a US-led drill in Morocco in June.
The two nations have intensified diplomatic relations. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita hosted Mr Hanegbi for talks in June.
Morocco recently postponed a summit for the signatories of the Abraham Accords that was scheduled to be held in the summer, citing political reasons thought to be linked to tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.
Asked earlier this month what Israel sought in return for the recognition of the Sahara region as Moroccan, and whether it planned to open a consulate in the territory, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen linked a decision to the conference.
“We are right now working in regards to this issue and our plan is to have our final decision in the Negev Forum,” he told reporters.
Mr Cohen said he expected the Moroccan-hosted event to take place in September or October.
Tensions have been rising in the occupied West Bank as Israel has conducted several fatal raids in Nablus and Jenin, with dozens killed.
Palestinian attacks against settlers are also on the rise, the latest on Sunday where a gunman opened fire at a vehicle, injuring three Israelis.
“Morocco expresses its solidarity with the Palestinian people and rejects the Israeli government decision of expanding settlements in the West Bank,” Mr Bourita said last month.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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