visit israel from morocco

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• March Madness
• AP Top 25 Poll
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Moroccan senate president delays historic trip to Israel due to illness and says he will return

FILE - Enaam Mayara, right, Morocco’s senate president poses for a photo with Israel’s Knesset speaker Amir Ohana, during the latter’s visit to Rabat, Morocco, Tuesday, June, 8, 2023. Morocco’s senate president has postponed a historic visit to Israel due to health reasons. Israel officials announced the delay on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, a day before Enaam Mayara’s scheduled visit to Israel’s Knesset, or parliament. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Enaam Mayara, center left, Morocco’s senate president walks with Israel’s Knesset speaker Amir Ohana, during the latter’s visit to Rabat parliament, Morocco, Tuesday, June, 8, 2023. Morocco’s senate president has postponed a historic visit to Israel due to health reasons. Israel officials announced the delay on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, a day before Mayara’s scheduled visit to Israel’s Knesset, or parliament. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Enaam Mayara, left, Morocco’s senate president holds talks with Israel’s Knesset speaker, Amir Ohana, during the latter’s visit to Rabat parliament, Morocco, Tuesday, June 8, 2023. Morocco’s senate president has postponed a historic visit to Israel due to health reasons. Israel officials announced the delay on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, a day before Mayara’s scheduled visit to Israel’s Knesset, or parliament. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Enaam Mayara, Morocco’s senate president, inside the Moroccan parliament, Rabat, Tuesday, June, 8, 2023. Morocco’s senate president has postponed a historic visit to Israel due to health reasons. Israel officials announced the delay on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, a day before Mayara’s scheduled visit to Israel’s Knesset, or parliament. (AP Photo, File)

• Copy Link copied

JERUSALEM (AP) — Morocco’s senate president has postponed a historic visit to Israel due to a medical emergency, the Israeli parliament announced Wednesday.

The announcement came just a day before Enaam Mayara was scheduled to visit Israel’s Knesset, or parliament, on a trip aimed at cementing the fledgling ties between the two countries.

Mayara was to be the first Moroccan official and one of the few Muslim leaders ever to set foot in the Knesset. The parliament had planned to greet him with a red carpet and a ceremonial guard of honor.

Israel and Morocco fully normalized relations as part of the 2020 Abraham Accords, a series of diplomatic agreements between Israel and four Arab countries brokered by then-President Donald Trump.

The Knesset issued a statement late Wednesday saying that Mayara had been hospitalized during a stop in neighboring Jordan. He was forced to reschedule his Israel trip and call off a visit earlier in the day to the Palestinian government in the West Bank, the statement said.

“I am sorry that because of a medical emergency, I am unable to come to the Knesset,” the statement quoted Mayara as saying. It gave no details on the nature of his illness but said he would return to Morocco.

“The connection between the kingdom of Morocco and the state of Israel is a shared interest of the two countries, and together we will deepen it,” he added.

Israel’s Knesset speaker Amir Ohana, who visited Morocco earlier this year, said Mayara’s visit was supposed to be a highlight of the new relations. He said Israel wished Mayara “a speedy and full recovery.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed interest in expanding the Abraham Accords to bring in additional Arab and Muslim countries, most notably Saudi Arabia. But relations with Israel’s Arab partners have cooled due to the treatment of Palestinians by Netanyahu’s far-right government.

The government is dominated by ultranationalist politicians who oppose Palestinian independence and have promoted settlement construction in the occupied West Bank. Morocco delayed a summit of Israel and its Abraham Accord partners earlier this year due to the political climate.

Still, Israel’s relations with Morocco appear strong.

Israel is home to a large community of Jews of Moroccan descent. Morocco and Israel have agreed to military cooperation and boosted trade. Earlier this year, Israel recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, joining the United States as the only two countries to acknowledge the kingdom’s annexation of the disputed north African territory.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Morocco Invites Netanyahu to Visit, in a Possible Opening to Deeper Ties

The invitation came in a letter from King Mohammed VI to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel thanking him for recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.

By Isabel Kershner

Reporting from Jerusalem

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Wednesday received an invitation from King Mohammed VI to visit Morocco, Mr. Netanyahu’s office said, laying the ground for the first such high-level visit since the two countries normalized relations in late 2020 and heralding a possible deepening of diplomatic and security ties.

No date has yet been set for the visit, but Israel’s national security adviser and Morocco’s foreign minister have agreed to coordinate on a date for the visit “in the near future,” according to Mr. Netanyahu’s office.

The news was likely to give Mr. Netanyahu a boost even as the policies of his right-wing government — including increased settlement construction in the occupied West Bank and a more aggressive stance toward the Palestinians — have caused tension in the region.

The exchange between King Mohammed and Mr. Netanyahu also appeared to signal an easing of recent tensions between Morocco and Israel. Morocco had postponed a long-awaited diplomatic summit with Israel this summer in protest against the settlement policy of Mr. Netanyahu’s hard-line government and amid eruptions of Israeli-Palestinian violence in the occupied West Bank.

King Mohammed wrote to Mr. Netanyahu that a meeting between them could be “an opportunity to promote the prospects of peace for all peoples in the region,” based on the principles that “should guide the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Mr. Netanyahu’s office said that the invitation came in a “warm, personal” letter thanking Israel for its decision this week to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara .

Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released parts of the letter , praising Israel’s recognition and its decision to consider opening a consulate in the Western Saharan city of Dakhla as “both just and farsighted.”

The king added that Mr. Netanyahu was “welcome to visit Morocco on a mutually agreed date, to be determined through diplomatic channels,” as the king said he had indicated in a phone conversation in December 2020. The king affirmed that the meeting in Morocco would “open up new possibilities for bilateral relations between Morocco and Israel.”

Attesting to the growing security ties between the two countries, Israel recently appointed its first military attaché to Morocco, and a delegation of Israeli soldiers and commanders took part in an international exercise of ground forces in Morocco in June.

The United States-brokered deal in 2020 that led to Morocco’s normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel included recognition by the Trump administration of Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara, where the Polisario Front has fought for decades for independence.

Many Israeli Jews hail from Morocco and have been flocking to the country on “roots” trips in recent years. Yair Lapid visited in his role as Israel’s foreign minister in 2021. In May, Israel’s minister of transportation, Miri Regev, traveled to Morocco and signed bilateral agreements with her counterpart there related to issues including the recognition of driver’s licenses and maritime trade relations.

Historically, Israel and Morocco have engaged in decades of quiet cooperation in military and intelligence realms even in the absence of formal ties. The two countries established low-grade diplomatic relations after Israel reached interim agreements with the Palestine Liberation Organization in the 1990s, but Morocco ended those amid the violence of the second Palestinian uprising, which broke out in 2000.

Isabel Kershner , a correspondent in Jerusalem, has been reporting on Israeli and Palestinian politics since 1990. Her latest book is “The Land of Hope and Fear: Israel’s Battle for its Inner Soul.” More about Isabel Kershner

Israel FM makes first visit to Morocco since ties normalised

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid’s visit is the first by a top Israeli diplomat since relations were upgraded in December last year.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has left for Morocco in what will be the first visit by Israel’s top diplomat since the two countries upgraded ties last year.

Israel and Morocco agreed in December to resume diplomatic relations and re-launch direct flights under a deal brokered by former US President Donald Trump.

Keep reading

Stone age axe dating back 1.3 million years unearthed in morocco, morocco’s ancient granaries could be world’s first banks, women in the wind: morocco’s rural teachers, netanyahu speaks with morocco’s king, invites him to israel.

As part of the agreement, Washington also recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, where there has been a decades-old territorial dispute with Morocco pitted against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, a movement that seeks to establish an independent state in the territory.

Leading a ministerial delegation, Lapid will inaugurate Israel’s diplomatic mission in Rabat, visit Casablanca’s historic Temple Beth-El and hold talks with his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita, Lapid’s office said.

“This historic visit is a continuation of the long-standing friendship and deep roots and traditions that the Jewish community in Morocco, and the large community of Israelis with origins in Morocco, have,” Lapid said ahead of the two-day visit.

Morocco was one of four Arab countries – along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan – to agree to normalise ties with Israel last year under US-brokered deals.

Palestinians have been critical of the normalisation deals, saying Arab countries have set back the cause of peace by abandoning a longstanding demand that Israel returns occupied land for a Palestinian state before it can receive recognition.

The announcement in December had sparked uproar in Morocco, where several protests were held to denounce the move.

In May, thousands of Moroccans marched in cities across the country to denounce the 11-day Israeli bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip, with the ruling Justice and Development Party demanding the closure of Israel’s liaison office.

US President Joe Biden has said he wants to build on Israel’s new relations, which Lapid has prioritised since taking office in June as part of a cross-partisan coalition that replaced longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Just five weeks ago, Lapid made a landmark first visit by an Israeli foreign minister to the UAE, where he touted Israel’s ties with the Gulf Arab state and highlighted concerns over their mutual foe Iran.

Two Israeli carriers launched nonstop commercial flights to Marrakesh from Tel Aviv last month, but hopes for a broader tourism bonanza have been delayed by a spike of COVID-19 cases in both countries.

Meanwhile, Lapid wrote on Twitter: “Taking off for a historic visit to Morocco!”, while posting a photo of the El Al airline departures screen.

The North African country hosts the Arab world’s largest Jewish community of some 3,000 people.

They are what remains of a once much larger community. Some 700,000 Jews of Moroccan descent now live in Israel.

Morocco and Israel maintained liaison offices in the 1990s, before closing them during the second Palestinian Intifada, or uprising, which lasted five years from 2000.

Eurasia Review

A Journal of Analysis and News

Visit of American-Israeli delegation to Rabat, Morocco, December 2020. Photo Credit: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, Wikipedia Commons

Morocco And Israel: A Move To A Stronger Alliance – Analysis

By Dr. Mohamed Chtatou

A new welcome support for Rabat, in its fight for the recognition of its – disputed – sovereignty over Western Sahara came on July 17, 2023 from Israel. (1) Indeed, after the United States and several European countries, Israel announced its support for Morocco’s position in the conflict that has pitted it for almost fifty years against the separatists of the Polisario Front, supported by Algiers. (2)

An all-out rapprochement between Morocco and Israel

In a letter addressed to the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu indicated that he “ recognizes the sovereignty of Morocco over the territory of Western Sahara .” (3) This position, says the Prime Minister of Israel will be “reflected in all the relevant acts and documents of the Israeli government” and “ transmitted to the United Nations, regional and international organizations including Israel as member, as well as all countries with which Israel has diplomatic relations ”. (4) In response, Morocco announced that it would elevate its Tel Aviv mission to an embassy and invited the Israeli PM for an official visit.

Israel’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty comes almost three years after the two countries partially re-established diplomatic relations under the Abraham Accords negotiated by the United States. Rabat agreed to join the normalization pact in exchange for the Trump administration’s recognition of Moroccan rule over the territory. (5)

Binyamin Netanyahu informed the Moroccan sovereign that Israel was examining positively “ the opening of a consulate in the city of Dakhla ”, located in the part of Western Sahara controlled by the kingdom. A recurring request from the kingdom, which wants its allies to open diplomatic representations in Western Sahara in recognition of the “Moroccanness” of this vast territory.

Peter Pham, a high-profile member of the prestigious US American think tank The Atlantic Council said that the decision of the State of Israel to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara is the result of “the forward-looking leadership” of King Mohammed VI, backed by “an insightful vision forged in patience and historical legitimacy.”  (6)

King Mohammed VI of Morocco has invited Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to visit the North African country, the Prime Minister’s Office announced following the official recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara by the Israeli government. “ The invitation was issued in a warm personal letter in which the king thanked the State of Israel for its willingness to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty in Western Sahara ,” the Prime Minister stated. A visit by Netanyahu would “ open up new possibilities for strengthening relations between our countries ,” wrote the Moroccan king.

Military alliance

Since their diplomatic normalization, Morocco and Israel have been busy accelerating their cooperation, mainly military, security, trade and tourism. Thus, on Monday July 17, 2023, the Israeli Chief of Staff announced the appointment of a military attaché for the first time in Morocco, Colonel Sharon Itah. Since the end of May 2023, three Israeli ministers as well as the speaker of parliament, the national security adviser and soldiers from an elite infantry unit have visited Morocco.

Ties between Morocco and Israel — including, quietly, military — go back decades. The two countries had established diplomatic relations in the early 1990s, before Morocco ended them at the start of the second intifada , the Palestinian uprising of the early 2000s.

During the first defense cooperation monitoring committee between the two countries, Rabat and Tel Aviv agreed to strengthen their collaboration in several military areas. (7)

The announcement was made by a statement from the staff of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), released on Tuesday January 17, 2023. Morocco and Israel, which have come closer since the diplomatic normalization carried out in December 2020 within the framework of the Abraham Accords, “ agreed to further strengthen this cooperation and expand it to other areas, including intelligence, air defense and electronic warfare ,” the document says. (8)

This development follows the first meeting of the monitoring committee for Moroccan-Israeli defense cooperation, which took place Monday January 16 and Tuesday January 17, 2023 in Rabat, as part of the military rapprochement between the two countries. The meeting was co-chaired by FAR Inspector General Belkhir El Farouk and Director of the Politico-Military Affairs Office of the Israeli Defense Ministry Dror Shalom.

The two parties also examined various aspects of their cooperation, including “ logistics, and training as well as the acquisition and modernization of equipment “, details the press release. A cooperation “ carrying mutual interests and based on mutual trust and support “, welcomed Belkhir El Farouk, number two of the Moroccan army.

In November 2021, former Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed a memorandum of understanding in Rabat governing security relations with Morocco. His historic visit was followed in July 2022 by that of former army boss Aviv Kochavi, the first by an Israeli chief of staff to the Sherifian kingdom. (9)

Netanyahu’s Morocco visit

Binyamin Netanyahu, will make at least five trips abroad from the beginning of September to the end of December 2023, including one to Morocco in response to the invitation of King Mohammed VI, reveals the Israeli daily Israel Hayom . (10)

The Jewish state’s Prime Minister is due to travel first to Cyprus on September 3-4, 2023 – after his trip was postponed when he fell ill and underwent cardiac stimulation surgery – and then to Turkey, writes the first among Israeli newspapers in terms of circulation.

After participating in the annual general debate of the United Nations Assembly in New York, from September 18 to 23, 2023 and a meeting with the American president, Joe Biden – which should take place between September and October –, Netanyahu is expected to visit Morocco.

In mid-July 2023, Netanyahu received an official invitation from King Mohammed VI following Israel’s recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara. Since then, Netanyahu’s office has said that efforts are being made to find a suitable date for both parties and estimates suggest that the trip to Morocco should be included in the prime minister’s busy schedule over the fall months. and winter.

Since the signing of the tripartite agreement between Morocco, the United States and Israel, ministers of the Netanyahu government have made several visits to Morocco.

Economic cooperation

The Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Ryad Mezzour, and the Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry, Mrs. Orna Barbivai, held a meeting on Monday, February 21, 2022 at the ministry’s headquarters in Rabat, which is part of the implementation of the Joint Declaration signed on December 22, 2020 in Rabat, (11) in which the two countries expressed their desire to promote dynamic and innovative bilateral economic cooperation in the fields of trade, finance and investment, as well as innovation and technology.

“ It was a founding meeting that gave us the opportunity to identify areas and avenues for collaboration and bilateral industrial and commercial partnership. After more than a year of the resumption of diplomatic relations, Morocco and Israel have laid the groundwork for an innovative multidimensional partnership. Today, we are entering a new stage on the path of our partnership, which we want to be intense, fruitful and mutually beneficial ,” said Mr. Mezzour. (12)

This meeting was marked by the signing of an Economic Cooperation Agreement aimed, among other things, at creating Qualified Industrial Zones in Morocco which will make it possible to concretize the tripartite cooperation Morocco-Israel-United States in the field of trade and development. investment and to facilitate the direct access of goods produced in these Zones to the American market.

This agreement also provides for participation in trade fairs and economic conventions to be held in both countries, the exchange of expertise and the organization of promotional events and business visits. It also aims to establish bilateral cooperation on standardization and regulatory issues, between private sector entities of the two countries (employer organizations, Chambers of Commerce, etc.) and in the fields of research and development (R&D), innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises.

During this meeting, the two parties identified sectors with high investment potential, in line with those selected by the respective business communities, namely: Industry 4.0, agri-food, automotive, aeronautics, textiles, water technologies, renewable energies, outsourcing of services, medical devices and the pharmaceutical industry.

To put in place the mechanisms promoting the development of this bilateral partnership meeting the needs and expectations of the two countries, it was agreed, at the end of this meeting, to hold the 1 st session of the Joint Committee provided for by the Cooperation Agreement. Economic and Commercial and to organize a Forum of businessmen from the two countries.

Economic interdependence between Morocco and Israel goes far beyond trade balance figures, according to Einat Levi, a specialist in Israeli-Moroccan relations, who spoke on the “Maghreb” program broadcast on I24NEWS . (13) This relationship is part of a broader perspective of complementarity and strategic alignment between the two nations, which benefit from a unique exchange dynamic. “ Morocco, with its growing export capacity, complements itself perfectly with Israel and its advanced technological reservoir ,” she said.

According to Einat Levi, recent years have seen a significant increase in trade between Israel and Morocco. In 2022, trade between the two countries reached $180 million. But this relationship remains asymmetrical, because Morocco exports more than Israel.

The consultant explains this by the lack of solid structures governing trade between the two countries. The absence of customs agreements, tax treaties and investment protection constitute an obstacle to be overcome in order to “ make this commercial network attractive and beneficial for both parties ”.

In detail, it should be recalled that cooperation has begun in earnest around issues such as water management and renewable energy, as Israeli private companies seek new investment opportunities in Morocco, reads a report of the Middle East Institute –MEI- entitled “Morocco and Israel: Economic Opportunities, Military Incentives, and Moral Hazards”.  (14) This cooperation deepened in 2021 with a proliferation of agreements, with the aim of increasing trade from $131 million in 2021 to $500 million in five years.

The recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara by Israel is, undoubtedly, an important milestone in the Abraham Accords. It will not only further the promising Moroccan -Israeli relations and encourage other nations of the Muslim world to normalize relations with the Jewish state but also allow the holding of the Negev summit in Morocco on September 2023 with the hope that both Jordan and the Palestinian authority may, hopefully, join, ultimately, the meeting and make it a success story.

The bold Israeli political initiative of the recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara is a win-win undertaking. It allows Morocco to strengthen its international legitimacy in the Sahara and Israel to have access to African markets through Morocco and ultimately to African political recognition.

Today, Morocco and Israel can go on with their millennial relationship in friendship, respect and responsibility with the hope that this happy development will bring peace to both Palestinians and Israelis and wellbeing to the nations of the MENA region.

Moroccan Jews, who have been present in the country for 2500 years, have maintained close ties with its leadership even during periods when there were no relations with Israel. (15) The country’s Jewish community, once estimated at 300 000 of thousands in the 1950s, numbers just 3000 today but is very influential in politics and business and is much-esteemed by the Muslim population. Needless to say, however, that one of the most influential advisors of King Mohammed VI is André Azoulay, a Moroccan charismatic Jew.

•  Lucent, Adam. ‘’Israel recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara’’, Al-Monitor, July 17, 2023. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/07/israel-recognizes-moroccos-sovereignty-over-western-sahara  
•  Chograni, Houda. ‘’The Polisario Front, Morocco, and the Western Sahara Conflict’’, Arab Center Washington DC , June 22, 2021. https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/the-polisario-front-morocco-and-the-western-sahara-conflict/  
•  Berman, Lazar. ‘’Israel tells Morocco it recognizes its sovereignty over disputed Western Sahara”, The Times of Israel, July 17, 2023. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-tells-morocco-it-recognizes-its-sovereignty-over-disputed-western-sahara/
•  MAP. ‘’ Israel’s Recognition of Morocco’s Sovereignty over its Sahara, the Result of HM the King’s ‘Forward-looking Leadership’ (Peter Pham)”, July 17, 2023. https://www.mapnews.ma/en/actualites/politics/israels-recognition-moroccos-sovereignty-over-its-sahara-result-hm-kings-forward  
•  Chtatou, Mohamed. ‘’Understanding Moroccan “Normalization” with Israel”, The Washington Institute, January 5, 2021. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/understanding-moroccan-normalization-israel  
•  MAP. ‘’ Israel’s Recognition of Morocco’s Sovereignty over its Sahara, the Result of HM the King’s ‘Forward-looking Leadership’ (Peter Pham)”, op. cit.
•  Le Matin. ‘’Maroc-Israël : Réunion du Comité de suivi de la coopération de défense’’, January 17, 2023. https://lematin.ma/express/2023/maroc-israel-reunion-comite-suivi-cooperation-defense/385636.html  
•  Kasraoui, Safa. ‘’Morocco, Israel To Boost Military Cooperation, Training”, Morocco World News, January 17, 2023. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/01/353573/morocco-israel-to-boost-military-cooperation-training  
•  Haaretz. ‘’ ‘A Historic Shift in the Region’: Israeli Army Chief Returns From Morocco’’, July 21, 2022. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2022-07-21/ty-article/.premium/a-historic-shift-in-the-region-idf-chief-returns-from-morocco/00000182-213b-d76f-a9ae-27bffbfe0001  
•  Cohen, Shirit Avitan.’’Get ready for Netanyahu’s whirlwind tour: 5 trips in 3 months”, Israel Hayom, July 8, 2023. https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/08/07/get-read-for-netanyahus-whirlwind-tour-7-trips-in-3-months/
•  USA. Agreement Between the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, MOROCCO and ISRAEL, Rabat December 22, 2020. TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 20-1222. https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20-1222-Morocco-Israel-Joint-Declaration.pdf  
•  Ministère de l’Industrie et du Commerce. ‘’LE MAROC ET ISRAËL TRACENT LES LIGNES FONDATRICES DE LEUR COOPÉRATION INDUSTRIELLE ET COMMERCIALE’’. https://www.mcinet.gov.ma/fr/actualites/le-maroc-et-israel-tracent-les-lignes-fondatrices-de-leur-cooperation-industrielle-et  
•  Levi, Einat. “Morocco-Israel: the issues and challenges of economic cooperation deciphered”, Maghreb/I24. https://www.linkedin.com/in/einatlevi?trk=public_post_embed_feed-actor-image  
•  Fakir, Intissar. ‘’Morocco and Israel: Economic Opportunities, Military Incentives, and Moral Hazards’’, Middle East Institute, December 1, 2022. https://www.mei.edu/publications/morocco-and-israel-economic-opportunities-military-incentives-and-moral-hazards  
•  Chtatou, Mohamed. ‘’The Moroccan-Israeli Geostrategic Relationship: From a Harmonious Past to a Promising Future’’, Orbis, Volume 67, Issue 2 , 2023, pp. 228-246. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0030438723000066  
• ← Thailand’s Persisting Prime Ministerial Dilemma – Analysis
• Human Rights Abuses And Disinformation: Hallmarks Of Wagner, Other Mercenary Groups In Africa – Analysis →

Dr. Mohamed Chtatou

Dr. Mohamed Chtatou is a Professor of education science at the university in Rabat. He is currently a political analyst with Moroccan, Gulf, French, Italian and British media on politics and culture in the Middle East, Islam and Islamism as well as terrorism. He is, also, a specialist on political Islam in the MENA region with interest in the roots of terrorism and religious extremism.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Jerusalem - Capital of Israel

Welcome to israel visa processing centre (vac).

Shalom! Welcome to the website of the Israel visa application centres in Morocco. BSR Global S.A.R.L.A.U is the exclusive service provider for the State of Israel, authorized to provide administrative support services to visa applicants. We welcome visitors from around the globe who wish to travel to the State of Israel. The website provides all the information on how to apply for a visa to State of Israel. The guidelines listed on the site helps to prepare your documents with all relevant information pertaining to Israel visa.

You can submit your visa application with supporting documents at the center as per given procedure on this site. Please note applications submitted at BSR Global S.A.R.L.A.U will be assessed by the Embassy of Israel in Morocco. Israel visa application center provides the visa application support service only. Staff members of visa application center have no power over the outcome of an application. The decision to issue or refuse a visa is solely by the Embassy of Israel. BSR Global S.A.R.L.A.U role is entirely impartial.

Latest News

“Dear All, As per the new guidelines of the Ministry of Health in Israel , foreigners are not allowed to enter Israel except of specific exceptions. Please follow the Israeli population Authority website (mentioned below) for regular updates: https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/border_closing_coronavirus_14062020

News archive, israel-tel aviv, jerusalem, haifa.

Contact Us - Helpline & Helpdesk Timings Only

Feel free to contact us:

For Enquiry call +212-537630151 from Monday to Friday between 09:00AM - 05:00PM except holidays

Disclaimer: Based on the documents provided by the Applicant to the center, Embassy of Israel will take decision whether to grant or reject the visa and neither Embassy of Israel or BSR Global S.A.R.L.A.U will be responsible for this.

Physically challenged applicants are requested to contact our helpline prior to visiting our centre to submit your application so that we may offer you the best possible assistance. Applicants are required to read the Security guidelines carefully which would in turn increase their convenience at Israel Visa Application Centre.

Acceptance of your form for processing and payment of the processing fee does not guarantee grant of the visa. The granting of the visa is entirely the prerogative and at the discretion of the Embassy / Consul of Israel and no reasons will be provided for the delay/denial of a visa.

Feedback/Complaints

Israel-Morocco tourism: 200,000 Israelis expected to visit this year

After the kingdom reopened skies to visitors, the tourism sector is preparing for a wave of sightseers..

Morocco's king invites Israeli PM for official visit after Western Sahara recognition

• Medium Text

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

Reporting by Henriette Chacar; Additional reporting by Ahmed Eljechtimi; Editing by Leslie Adler

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

US Supreme Court tackles rioter's obstruction case, with Trump implications

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday began hearing arguments in a Pennsylvania man's bid to avoid an obstruction charge related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol - a case with possible implications for the federal prosecution of Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss.

Get JTA's Daily Briefing in your inbox

I accept the JTA Privacy Policy .

By submitting the above I agree to the privacy policy and terms of use of JTA.org

In a first, Israel’s prime minister will visit Morocco

( JTA ) — Moroccan King Mohammed VI invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Morocco days after Israel recognized the country’s claim to the disputed Western Sahara.

“The invitation was sent in a warm, personal letter in which His Majesty thanked the State of Israel for its recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement it released Wednesday. “King Mohammed VI wrote Prime Minister Netanyahu that the visit would open up new possibilities for strengthening relations between their two countries.”

Israel and Morocco normalized ties in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, a series of agreements between Israel and a few of its Arab neighboring countries. Senior Israeli officials have visited the country, but this will be a first for an Israeli prime minister.

Israel this week became the second country after the United States to recognize Morocco’s claim to oil-rich territory it annexed in 1975, as Spain ended its colonial presence there. Indigenous Sahwari rebels launched a war against to keep Morocco from claiming the territory; a 1991 ceasefire fell apart in 2020.

The statement from Netanyahu’s office said top aides in both countries were now working out the details of the visit.

Moroccan Jews, who have been present in the country for centuries, have maintained close ties with its leadership even during periods when there were no relations with Israel. The country’s Jewish community, once estimated in the hundreds of thousands, numbered just over 2,000 in 2015, according to a prominent researcher.

Share this:

Recommended from jta.

In landmark ruling, Argentine court says Iran and Hezbollah were responsible for 1994 Jewish center bombing

Israel signs agreement with South American soccer federation, paving way for elite international competition

Speaking at Miami synagogue, Argentina’s Javier Milei reveals he has Jewish heritage

Synagogue in Oldenburg, Germany, is targeted with Molotov cocktail; hundreds rally in solidarity with Jewish community

Meet Argentina’s Axel Wahnish, the first rabbi ever to be appointed as an ambassador to Israel

First Jewish sheriff of Nottingham, office of Robin Hood fame, is sworn in at his synagogue

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best things in life are free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Arts & Culture
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Is it safe to travel to Morocco right now? Latest travel advice

Here is everything we know about travelling to Morocco amidst the conflict in Israel

As the  Israel-Hamas conflict  rumbles on, many travellers are worried about the safety of visiting destinations such as Egypt , Jordan and Morocco. It’s worth noting that Morocco is around 3,555km away from Gaza – about as far from Gaza as the UK is. However, travellers might be concerned about visiting the country in a climate of political instability and following the September 8 earthquake in Morocco . Here is everything we know about travelling to Morocco and Marrakech right now.

Is it safe to travel to Morocco at the moment?

Morocco is open to international visitors and is generally regarded as safe to visit. 

What about Marrakech?

Despite the recent earthquake severely impacting Marrakech, the city is now considered safe to visit. As is the case with most major cities, travellers are advised to be wary of pickpockets and petty crime.

What has the Foreign Office said?

The UK Foreign Office does not currently advise against travel to Morocco, though on October 16 it did update its advice to exercise caution and avoid political demonstrations.

Has Morocco been affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict?

Geographically speaking, Morocco is very far away from Israel. However, as is the case in many countries across the world, Moroccans have taken to the streets to protest the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Read all the latest travel advice for Jordan , Türkiye , and Egypt and Israel .  For all the information about helping those affected by the conflict in Israel, read  our guide on charities and organisations providing vital aid and where you can donate .

Stay in the loop: sign up to our   free Time Out travel newsletter   for all the latest travel news. 

• Grace Beard Travel Editor

Share the story

An email you’ll actually love

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising

Time Out Worldwide

• All Time Out Locations
• North America
• South America
• South Pacific

Can Israeli Citizens Travel to Morocco?

Traveling to foreign destinations can be an exciting prospect, with each country offering a unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. However, for Israeli citizens, the possibility of visiting certain countries can be restricted due to geopolitical complexities and historical tensions. One such destination is Morocco, a nation renowned for its vibrant markets, ancient cities, and breathtaking landscapes. In this post, we explore the current state of affairs on travel restrictions and answer the question “Can Israeli Citizens Travel to Morocco?”

Historical Tensions and Geopolitical Context

The diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco have been complicated over the years. Morocco once maintained informal ties with Israel, but these relations ended following the Yom Kippur War in 1973 when Morocco severed official diplomatic ties with the Jewish state. In recent times, there have been attempts to rebuild the diplomatic relationship, and in December 2020, Morocco and Israel agreed to normalize their relations under the United States-brokered Abraham Accords. The agreement aimed to strengthen economic and political ties between the two countries and facilitate cooperation in various fields.

Yes, Israeli citizens can visit Morocco but must have a valid visa in order to enter the country. This is part of the country’s entry requirements – Israelis cannot enter without a visa.

you can submit an application either electronically or via your nearest Moroccan embassy/consulate/visa center.

Thankfully, getting a visa for Morocco is now much easier, as it can be done online. So if you’re traveling with an Israeli passport you can apply for the Morocco e-Visa. The Morocco electronic visa service is the fastest way to get a travel permit from Israel, and the e-Visa is valid for tourism and business trips. With an approved online visa you can visit Morocco and stay for up to 30 days.

However, regardless of whether you need a visa or not, ensure that your passport is stamped when you arrive in Morocco, as you may have difficulty leaving the country if your passport does not have an entry stamp.

How to Get a Moroccan e-Visa from Israel

Israeli passport holders can  apply for an e-Visa for Morocco  by following  3 simple steps :

• Complete the Morocco e-Visa form
• Pay the visa processing fee
• Receive the approved e-Visa

you’ll need the following documentation: 

• passport with at least 3 months validity 
• recent passport-sized photo
• email address (that’s checked regularly) 
• debit or credit card to pay the visa fees 

Once your e-visa is approved (which generally takes a couple of days), it’ll be sent to your provided email address in a PDF format. While you don’t have to have a physical copy as well as a digital one, it’s advised you print out a copy of your visa to avoid any disruptions. 

Visas usually don’t take that long to be approved but it is recommended to start the application process as soon as you know you’re going to Morocco to avoid disruptions to your travel plans. Once you’ve paid the visa application fee (around DH 220 or USD$23) and your visa is approved, you can stay in Morocco for a period of up to 30 days.

Travel Tips to Morocco

OK, now that we have answered the question of can Israeli Citizens Travel to Morocco, here are some things to keep in mind:

Respect the Culture: Morocco is a country with rich traditions and customs. As a visitor, it’s essential to respect the local culture, dress modestly, and be aware of local customs and traditions. For example, it’s polite to ask for permission before taking photographs of people or religious sites.

Bargain with Respect: Bargaining is a common practice in Moroccan markets (souks). However, remember to do it with respect and a friendly attitude. It’s part of the local shopping experience, but being overly aggressive can spoil the atmosphere.

Try Local Cuisine: Moroccan food is famous for its flavorful spices and diverse dishes. Don’t miss the opportunity to savor traditional dishes like tagine, couscous, and Moroccan mint tea. Be adventurous and explore the local street food too!

Learn Basic Phrases: While many Moroccans in popular tourist areas speak English, learning some basic Arabic or French phrases will be appreciated by the locals and can help you navigate better in remote areas.

Dress Appropriately: Morocco has varying climates, so pack accordingly. In urban areas, modest clothing is generally more appropriate. In rural or coastal regions, you can dress more casually, but still avoid revealing clothing.

Haggle Transport Prices: Negotiate taxi fares or other transportation costs before getting in the vehicle. Agree on the price in advance to avoid any misunderstandings later.

Stay Hydrated: Morocco can get quite hot, especially during the summer months. Carry a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated, especially if you plan to explore outdoor attractions.

Carry Cash: While credit cards are accepted in many places, having some cash is useful, especially in smaller towns and rural areas where card payment options might be limited.

Safety Tips for Israelis Traveling to Morocco

Register with the Embassy: Before traveling to any foreign country, including Morocco, register with the Israeli embassy or consulate. This helps the government keep track of its citizens and provide assistance in case of emergencies.

Check Travel Advisories: Prior to departure, check the official travel advisories issued by the Israeli government for Morocco. These advisories may contain important safety information and any potential risks.

Keep Valuables Secure: Petty theft and pickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist areas. Keep your valuables secure and be cautious of your surroundings, especially in bustling markets and public transport.

Be Aware of Political Demonstrations: Stay informed about any local political or social issues that might lead to demonstrations. Avoid participating in or being in the vicinity of protests, as they can sometimes turn unpredictable and potentially unsafe.

Respect Local Customs: Learn about the cultural norms and customs of the country you are visiting. Being respectful and considerate towards local traditions can go a long way in fostering positive interactions.

Emergency Contact Information: Save the contact information of the Israeli embassy or consulate in Morocco and carry it with you at all times. This information can be invaluable in case of emergencies.

Travel Insurance: Purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other unexpected incidents.

Be Cautious with Strangers: Exercise caution when interacting with strangers, especially if they approach you with unsolicited offers or assistance.

Remember, travel experiences are best enjoyed when you prioritize safety and show respect for the local culture. By being informed and prepared, you can make the most of your journey to Morocco and create lasting memories.

Related content:  Can Israeli Citizens Travel to Indonesia?  |  Can Israeli Citizens Travel to Oman?

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Click allow to get notifications on every article we post.