Morocco suppressing activists in Western Sahara after deal with Israel Friday, 19 February 2021 4:26 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 20 February 2021 6:19 AM ] Supporters of Western Saharan independence demonstrate in France. (File photo by AFP) Activists and ordinary people in Western Sahara are said to have been subjected to a harsh crackdown and human rights abuses by the government in Rabat, weeks after the United States recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed territory — where pro-independence sentiments run high — as a gift following its normalization with Israel. The Middle East Eye news portal cited the activists as saying on Friday that Washington’s decision on December 10, 2020, to recognize Morocco’s territorial claim to Western Sahara had emboldened Rabat to harass ordinary people and those critical of the move.