The agreement “will enable the defense establishments of both countries to enjoy increased cooperation in the fields of intelligence, industrial collaboration, military training and more,” and is another step in the increasingly friendly bilateral relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco.”

Israel and Morocco have signed a defense agreement, hailed as a ‘’very significant development’’ by Israeli Defense Miniser Benny Gantz who was this week on an official visit in Rabat.

Gantz signed a memorandum of understanding with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdellatif Loudiyi,  on Wednesday.

“We have just signed a defense cooperation MoU with Morocco,” announced Gantz, during the first-ever official visit by an Israeli defense official  to the North African kingdom.

“It is a very significant development, which will enable us to work on joint projects and promote industrial cooperation,” he said, adding, “relations between Israel and Morocco should be expanded and enhanced.”

The MoU provides a solid framework for formalizing defense relations between Jerusalem and Ramat, according to the statement.

The agreement “will enable the defense establishments of both countries to enjoy increased cooperation in the fields of intelligence, industrial collaboration, military training and more,” and is another step in the increasingly friendly bilateral relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco, the statement said.

Following the signing ceremony, Gantz thanked King Mohammed VI and Moroccan Defense Minister Abdellatif Loudiyi for supporting the expansion of ties with Israel, particularly in light of developing threats in the Middle East and North Africa. He also stressed Morocco’s role in maintaining regional stability and raised the issue of peace deals with additional partners.

During his visit, Gantz laid a ceremonial wreath at the mausoleum of King Mohammed V, and wrote a message of tribute to Morocco’s “rich history, culture and legacy.”

His visit to Morocco came just ahead of the first anniversary of the agreement to establish full diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan signed agreements to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 as part of the diplomatic pacts brokered by the Trump administration known as the Abraham Accords.