Israel’s Regional Cooperation Minister Ofir Akunis met with the designated ambassador and head of the Moroccan Embassy yesterday to discuss the results of normalizing ties and advancing further cooperation with each other.
Akunis assured Abdel Rahim Al-Bayoud that he would “work to promote joint ventures between the two countries” and that Israeli citizens, many of whom are immigrants from Morocco or have Moroccan ancestry, “are happy and excited about the relationship that is being forged.”
With UAE, Morocco at annual diplomat gala, Rivlin hails ‘new spirit of peace’ https://t.co/ErDQO4KvxB
— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) April 15, 2021
The Israeli minister pointed out that the normalization agreement signed last year has “enormous potential” in trade, the economy, tourism, technology, and innovation. “The agreement fundamentally changes the political situation in our region, creating an entirely new atmosphere in the Middle East.”
According to the Jerusalem Post, the Moroccan ambassador claimed to be “delighted” to be hosted by the Office for Regional Cooperation. “This historic peace agreement between the two countries has greatly pleased the Moroccan people who love Israel. Jewish tradition is an integral part of Moroccan culture,” said Al-Bayoud.
🇮🇱🇲🇦 #Israel's Regional Cooperation Minister Ofir Akunis met with Abdel Rahim-Biod, the designated ambassador and head of the #Moroccan embassy in Israel on Tuesday. https://t.co/HGdwffuWgI
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) April 21, 2021
The ambassador shared his expectations for the agreement, starting with his intent to “strengthen tourism relations between the countries by operating a direct flight line” after the current month of Ramadan.
His meeting with Akunis came after Israeli and Moroccan institutions signed two agreements earlier this month to increase cooperation in the economy and education, noted the head of Israel’s diplomatic mission in Morocco, David Govrin.
The Myth of #Peace in the #MiddleEast: Deconstructing the #Naturalization Narrative https://t.co/u9IeAD0Qg5 via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/m4wLxVI08F
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) April 18, 2021
The first agreement was signed between the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises, the largest corporate group in Morocco, and one of Israel’s top technology companies, IBEO, explained Govrin on Twitter. Another deal was signed by the National School of Business and Management in Casablanca and Tel Aviv University’s School of Management.
In 2000, Morocco severed all ties with Israel after the latter’s violent response to the Second (Al-Aqsa) Intifada and the suspension of peace talks with the Palestinians. However, it restored diplomatic relations in December under a US-sponsored deal, becoming the fourth Arab country last year to agree to normalisation with Israel after the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan.
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
