Cooperation between Israel and Morocco has grown fastly since the two countries normalized their diplomatic relations in December 2020 in the framework of the US-initiated Abraham Accords.
Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita will make an official visit to Israel in September to take part in the celebration of the second anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords along with other officials from the region.
He was invited by Israeli Minister of Regional Cooperation Issawa Frej during his recent visit to Morocco.
“Israel and Morocco have many common characteristics that we should use to help strengthen the ties between the countries and their citizens,” said Frej during his recent visit.
‘I felt that there is a goodwill in Morocco to strengthen relations, discussions and cooperation between the countries,’’ he added.
It will be Bourita’s second visit in Israel after that of late March 2022 when he participated in the Negev summit. On this occasion, it is expected that the liaison office of Morocco in Tel Aviv be raised to the level of embassy. The same would occur for Israel’s liaison office in Rabat.
David Govrin, head of Israel’s liaison office revealed that Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has ordered closer ties with Israel in all aspects.
“Unlike Egypt or Jordan, where the ties are mainly security, with Morocco it is different: it is both a strategic alliance and a deep cultural link between the civilian communities. As a result, all (Israeli) visitors who arrive here [in Morocco]are amazed at the warm welcome they receive,’’ he said in an interview with the Media Line.
During her recent visit to Morocco, Israeli Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked was quoted as telling her Moroccan interlocutors Israel’s determination to expand cooperation beyond politics, investment, agriculture, tourism and energy to include the employment of Moroccan workers in the housing and health sectors.
Israel also believes that it can build a partnership with Africa through Morocco in the fields of energy, agriculture, economy and investment.
Cooperation between Israel and Morocco has grown fastly since the two countries normalized their diplomatic relations in December 2020 in the framework of the US-initiated Abraham Accords.
Morocco cut relations with Israel in 2000 following the outbreak of the second Palestinian intifada, but re-established ties two decades later in a deal that saw Washington recognise Rabat’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara.
Since then, a steady stream of Moroccan and Israeli officials have visited each others’ countries and signed deals ranging from defence and security to the economy, culture and sports.
IDF chief Aviv Kohavi visited Morocco last month consolidating the strategic and military alliance between Israel and the North African country.