Normalization Ties in North Africa Draw Algerian Diplomat’s Rebuke
Amar Belani argues that expanding Morocco–Israel and UAE–Morocco cooperation threatens Palestinian interests and could reshape regional security dynamics.
An Algerian former ambassador, Amar Belani, criticized Morocco’s expanding relations with Israel and the UAE’s support for Morocco, arguing that their cooperation is developing into a wider diplomatic, economic and security network. He said the trend harms Palestinian interests and could threaten Algeria and reshape competition in North Africa and the Sahel. These claims are political assertions from Belani’s commentary, and the source contains a significant date inconsistency requiring verification.
## Verified facts
Algerian diplomat and former ambassador to Egypt Amar Belani criticized the normalization of relations between several Arab countries and Israel in a commentary published on his personal Facebook page, according to Iran’s IRNA. He specifically addressed Morocco’s expanding ties with Israel and the United Arab Emirates’ relationship with both countries.
The commentary followed a ceremony involving representatives of Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Kazakhstan and the United States. Belani said the Abraham Accords were developing into an organized network of diplomatic, economic and security relations. He also pointed to reported plans for Morocco and Israel to exchange ambassadors, resume direct flights and deepen economic cooperation, including agreements on investment protection and the avoidance of double taxation.
Belani argued that these developments were taking place amid the continuing war in Gaza and violence against civilians in the West Bank. He criticized what he described as a contradiction between Morocco’s expressions of solidarity with Palestinians and its continued expansion of relations with Israel. He further claimed that Morocco–Israel cooperation now extends beyond diplomacy into defense, drones, intelligence and military technology.
The former diplomat also portrayed UAE support for Morocco as part of an emerging Rabat–Abu Dhabi–Tel Aviv alignment. He said this alignment could affect Algeria’s security and territorial integrity and argued that the Abraham Accords’ influence was extending into North Africa and the Sahel.
## Interpretation
Belani’s argument reflects Algeria’s longstanding opposition to normalization with Israel and its rivalry with Morocco. His central thesis is that bilateral agreements are evolving into a broader strategic network involving diplomacy, investment, defense and security cooperation. If the reported cooperation continues to deepen, it could intensify competition for influence in North Africa and the Sahel and further complicate Algeria–Morocco relations.
The commentary also frames normalization as a political contradiction: Arab governments may publicly support Palestinian rights while maintaining or expanding relations with Israel. This is Belani’s characterization and represents a political assessment rather than an independently verified conclusion.
## Uncertainty
The evidence consists of a single IRNA report summarizing Belani’s personal commentary. The claims about an undeclared trilateral military alliance, threats to Algeria’s security, and a coordinated “axis” seeking to destabilize regional states are assertions by Belani and are not independently substantiated in the supplied material.
The source contains a likely date inconsistency: it identifies the ceremony as taking place on 15 September 2016, although the reference to the Abraham Accords and the countries listed corresponds more closely to the 2020 normalization process. The report also refers to agreements expected before the end of 2026, so the chronology should be independently checked before publication. The description of events in Gaza as “genocide” is presented in the source as an allegation or characterization; the supplied evidence does not establish a legal finding on that question.