Ivanka Trump 'backs Morocco's Western Sahara claims' with holiday snap

After two years away from the political spotlight, Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka made a comeback last week after referring to the disputed territory of Morocco's Western Sahara.

During a routine stop in Melhfa near the blue beach of Dakhla, a city situated in the disputed territory, as she and her husband are on holiday in the country, Ivanka posted on Sunday a new photo with the caption: "Morocco."

The post was assumed to be making a pro-Morocco political statement.

Many Moroccans have applauded the ex-advisor for standing by her father, former US President Donald Trump, on his position regarding the dispute by supporting Morocco's sovereignty over the territory.

"Welcome to Morocco," "Everyone loves you here", and "our greeting to your father" commented several Moroccan users under Ivanka's post.

Donald Trump remains relatively popular among many Moroccans for his pro-Morocco position regarding Western Sahara.

Late in 2020, Donald Trump announced the US' recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara as part of the Abraham Accords that normalised ties between Rabat and Tel Aviv.

However, the Biden administration remains reluctant to maintain the previous Republican administration's policy.

Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, was annexed by Morocco in 1975. 

Since then, it has been the subject of a long-running territorial dispute between Morocco and the separatist Polisario Front.

The UN recognises neither's sovereignty over the territory. Numerous UN-sponsored talks have failed to solve the conflict.

Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were spotted at JFK Airport in New York on Wednesday before leaving for Morocco for their holiday. 

The couple has so far visited Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech's surrounding areas and Dakhla.

Kushner's last visit to Morocco was late in 2020 as he took part in the Abraham Accord signatory ceremony in Rabat. 

In 2019, Ivanka, advisor to the president at the time, visited Morocco to promote the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative to "empower women" in remote areas in Morocco.