Algeria on Thursday strongly criticized Israel's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region, saying the move is a violation of international law, Reuters reported.
"The decision... can in no way legitimize sovereignty over occupied Sahara lands", the Algerian Foreign ministry said in statement.
Israel earlier this week joined the US in recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Then-US President Donald Trump agreed to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara as part of the 2020 deal in which Morocco became the fourth Arab country to normalize ties with Israel.
Morocco considers Western Sahara its own territory, but the Algerian-backed Polisario Front wants an independent state there.
Algeria announced in 2021 that it is severing its diplomatic relations with Morocco over what it called "hostile actions" on the part of Morocco.
Algerian Foreign Affairs Minister Ramtane Lamamra announced the move at a press conference in which he read a statement on behalf of the Algerian President. Lamamra criticized then-Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who during his visit to Morocco earlier that month made statements against Algeria.
In 2020, the head of Algeria's largest Islamist party labeled Morocco's Prime Minister Saad Eddine El-Othmani a "traitor" over his country’s decision to normalize ties with Israel.