Israel–Morocco relations

Morocco had a large Jewish population prior to Israel's independence from the British in 1948, and hundreds of thousands of Israeli Jews are of Moroccan origin.{{Cite web|url=https://arab.news/rffhy|title=Trump announces Morocco and Israel will normalize relations|date=December 10, 2020|website=Arab News|author=Ray Hanania|access-date=December 31, 2020|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210172534/https://arab.news/rffhy|url-status=live}} The 1948 riots of Oujda and Jerada prompted the majority of Moroccan Jews to flee from the country.{{cite web|url=https://www.sephardicgen.com/databases/oujdaDjeradaSrchFrm.html|title=Oujda & Djerada Victims|website=www.sephardicgen.com|access-date=2020-07-03|archive-date=2020-12-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210213509/https://www.sephardicgen.com/databases/oujdaDjeradaSrchFrm.html|url-status=live}}

File:King Hassan II with Shimon Peres in 1994.jpg, 1994]]

Under Hassan II, the topic of Israel was highly controversial in Morocco, and for this reason contacts with Israel were only made under the table. During what is known as Operation Yachin, Morocco allowed 97,000 Jews to emigrate to Israel between November 1961 and spring 1964. They, however, only allowed this in exchange for money: Israel paid $100 per immigrant for the first 50,000 Jews, and $250 per immigrant thereafter.[http://www.ens-lyon.eu/annuaire/m-abecassis-frederic-22968.kjsp?RH=ENS-LYON-FR-ETUD-DEP Frederic ABECASSIS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203114253/http://www.ens-lyon.eu/annuaire/m-abecassis-frederic-22968.kjsp?RH=ENS-LYON-FR-ETUD-DEP |date=February 3, 2016 }}, [http://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/77/86/64/PDF/NEW_DIASPORAS._THE_JERUSALEM_WORKSHOP._JUNE_2012.pdf QUESTIONS ABOUT JEWISH MIGRATIONS FROM MOROCCO "OPERATION MURAL" (SUMMER 1961): RETURN FROM DIASPORA OR FORMATION OF A NEW DIASPORA?] "Since 1960, indirect talks had been initiated between the Israeli authorities and the heir to the throne, and even with the leftist leader, Mehdi Ben Barka (Bin-Nun, 2008). According to Yigal Bin Nun (2009), the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs was progressively convinced to consider financial compensation to the departure of the Jews, as it had been done in Iraq and Romania. In early May 1961, Isser Harel, the Director of the Mossad, decided to entrust to Alex Gatmon, chief of the Misgeret in Morocco, the mission to contact Jewish intermediaries to start negotiations with the Moroccan authorities. By the end of July, with the collaboration of Sam Benazeraf and Dr Isaac Cohen Olivar, he was negotiating with Abdelkader Benjelloun (Minister of Labour) and Moulay Ali Alaoui (the King's cousin and brother-in-law) and came to a compromise agreement. An economic clause was planned: half a million dollars would be paid as a down payment for the emigration of 50,000 Moroccan Jews to Europe, and then, 100$ per capita (250$ after the 50,000th). A humanitarian association, The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) would be the façade for the Israeli emissaries. The Moroccan authorities demanded that the Jews leave Morocco as entire families and not as single and selected migrants, as was the case since 1953. Furthermore, Alex Gatmon refused to dissolve his network "Misgeret" in Morocco, and clandestine emigration kept on until the end of the negotiations. Raphaël Spanien, the HIAS representative in Morocco, negotiated with colonel Oufkir collective passports issue by the Ministry of Interior. By the end of November 1961, Operation Yakhin had begun. From then till 1964, 97,005 Jews left Morocco with the tacit agreement of the Moroccan authorities."

In the 1965 Arab League Summit in Casablanca, Hassan II allegedly invited Israeli spies from Shin Bet and Mossad to spy on the other Arab leaders' activities, thus was instrumental in causing the Arabs' defeat to Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War.{{Cite news|url = https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4866702,00.html|title = Mossad listened in on Arab states' preparations for Six-Day War| newspaper=Ynetnews |date = 15 October 2016|access-date = 20 May 2021|archive-date = 4 March 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210304192555/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4866702,00.html|url-status = live| last1=Bergman | first1=Ronen }}

In contrast, during the Yom Kippur War, Morocco supported the Arab coalition by sending an expeditionary force of 5,500 men to the Golan and the Sinai.{{cite web |last1=Touchard |first1=Laurent |title=Guerre du Kippour : quand le Maroc et l'Algérie se battaient côte à côte |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/167404/politique/guerre-du-kippour-quand-le-maroc-et-l-alg-rie-se-battaient-c-te-c-te/ |publisher=Jeune Afrique |access-date=4 December 2022}}

During 1980s, Hassan II attempted to break the deadlock to recognize Israel by meeting with Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres in Rabat in 1986, but was met with backlash and protests from the Arab League and Moroccans alike, forcing Hassan II to withdraw his attempt.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/23/world/peres-and-hassan-in-talks-syria-breaks-moroccan-ties.html|title=Peres and Hassan in Talks; Syria Breaks Moroccan Ties|first=Judith|last=Miller|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 23, 1986|access-date=March 27, 2019|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211080856/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/23/world/peres-and-hassan-in-talks-syria-breaks-moroccan-ties.html|url-status=live}} Nonetheless, Hassan II maintained a bond with Peres, and Peres voiced his condolences when Hassan II died in 1999.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/24/world/hassan-ii-of-morocco-dies-at-70-a-monarch-oriented-to-the-west.html|title=Hassan II of Morocco Dies at 70; A Monarch Oriented to the West|first=Joseph R.|last=Gregory|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 24, 1999|access-date=March 27, 2019|archive-date=December 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210165354/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/24/world/hassan-ii-of-morocco-dies-at-70-a-monarch-oriented-to-the-west.html|url-status=live}} According to The New York Times some diplomats said {{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/23/world/peres-and-hassan-in-talks-syria-breaks-moroccan-ties.html|title = Peres and Hassan in Talks; Syria Breaks Moroccan Ties|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 23 July 1986|last1 = Miller|first1 = Judith|access-date = 27 March 2019|archive-date = 11 December 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201211080856/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/23/world/peres-and-hassan-in-talks-syria-breaks-moroccan-ties.html|url-status = live}} the Moroccan king's initiative to meet Mr. Peres, was the product of several factors. One factor, they said, was that King Hassan was increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress in the Middle East peace process, which has been stalemated. Even more important, diplomats{{which|date=August 2023}} said, was King Hassan's unsuccessful efforts to convene an Arab summit meeting here, despite months of maneuvering and overtures to moderate Arab leaders.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

file:King Mohammed VI of Morocco, Africa Forum Summit 2015 (cropped).jpg]]

Like late Hassan II, his son King Mohammed VI of Morocco, whose reign began in 1999, maintained unofficial relations with Israel. Mohammed VI's advisor, André Azoulay, is an instrumental Jewish Moroccan who facilitated the growth of Morocco in both economic and political terms.{{cite web|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2017/10/231187/andre-azoulay-audrey-azoulay-unesco/|title=André Azoulay: Audrey Azoulay 'Deservedly' Won UNESCO Chief Vote|first=Morocco World|last=News|date=October 16, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2019|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327131911/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2017/10/231187/andre-azoulay-audrey-azoulay-unesco/|url-status=live}}

Morocco also attempted to solve the Israeli–Palestinian conflict by dispatching another Jewish aide close to Israel, Sam Ben Shitrit, to solve the conflict and make peace between the two.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/moroccos-king-dispatches-jewish-aide-to-push-israeli-palestinian-talks/|title='Morocco's king dispatches Jewish aide to push Israeli-Palestinian talks'|first=Raoul|last=Wootliff|website=www.timesofisrael.com|access-date=2020-02-03|archive-date=2020-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922235125/https://www.timesofisrael.com/moroccos-king-dispatches-jewish-aide-to-push-israeli-palestinian-talks/|url-status=live}}

The two countries established low-level diplomatic relations during the 1990s following Israel's interim peace accords with the Palestinian Authority. Until the early 2000s, Morocco operated a liaison office in Tel Aviv and Israel one in Rabat, until they both were closed during the Second Intifada.{{cite web |title=His Majesty King Mohammed VI had a phone call with the President of The United States Mr. Donald Trump |url=https://www.diplomatie.ma/en/his-majesty-king-mohammed-vi-had-phone-call-president-united-states-mr-donald-trump |publisher=Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs |access-date=6 December 2022}}{{cite web |title=Moroccan team in Israel to set up liaison office: source |date=28 December 2020 |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2020/12/28/Moroccan-team-in-Israel-to-set-up-liaison-office-source- |publisher=Al-Arabiya |access-date=6 December 2022}}{{cite web |title=Morocco's envoy arrives in Israel to reopen liaison office |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/moroccos-envoy-arrives-in-israel-to-reopen-liaison-office/ |publisher=The Times of Israel |access-date=6 December 2022}} The two countries have maintained informal ties since then, with an estimated 50,000 Israelis traveling to Morocco each year on trips to learn about the Jewish community and retrace their family histories.{{Cite web|title=Israel, Morocco agree to normalise relations in US-brokered deal|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/10/israel-morocco-agree-to-normalise-relations-in-us-brokered-deal|access-date=2020-12-19|website=Al Jazeera|language=en|archive-date=2020-12-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218130853/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/10/israel-morocco-agree-to-normalise-relations-in-us-brokered-deal|url-status=live}}

Due to the growing anti-Iranian sentiment on both sides, as both countries have problems with the Iranian regime led by conservative Islamists, Morocco and Israel have sought to make their ties closer. Both countries participated in the US-led February 2019 Warsaw Conference, aimed to be anti-Iranian.{{cite web|url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/02/266108/morocco-israel-normalization-secret-meeting/|title=Spotlight on Rumored Morocco-Israel Normalization after Alleged Secret Meeting|first=Tamba François|last=Koundouno|date=February 18, 2019|access-date=March 27, 2019|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327183924/https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/02/266108/morocco-israel-normalization-secret-meeting/|url-status=live}}

In January 2020, Morocco received three Israeli drones as part of a $48 million arms deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.intelligenceonline.fr/renseignement-d-etat/2020/01/29/rabat-dispose-enfin-de-ses-drones-israeliens,108391387-bre|title=Rabat dispose enfin de ses drones israéliens|website=Intelligence Online|language=fr|date=29 January 2020|access-date=3 February 2020|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202183151/https://www.intelligenceonline.fr/renseignement-d-etat/2020/01/29/rabat-dispose-enfin-de-ses-drones-israeliens,108391387-bre|url-status=live}}

{{main|Israel–Morocco normalization agreement}}

File:DAZ 4350P (50749122821).jpg

In September 2020, U.S. president Donald Trump announced he was seeking direct flights between Rabat and Tel Aviv.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-uae-and-bahrain-deals-trump-said-aiming-for-direct-israel-morocco-flights#gs.g25r51|title=After UAE and Bahrain deals, Trump said aiming for direct Israel-Morocco flights|website=Times of Israel|language=en|date=12 September 2020|access-date=13 September 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008103636/https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-uae-and-bahrain-deals-trump-said-aiming-for-direct-israel-morocco-flights/#gs.g25r51|url-status=live}}

On 10 December 2020, Donald Trump announced that Israel and Morocco had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations. Morocco then communicated to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu its recognition of Israel. As part of the agreement, the United States agreed to recognize Morocco's Annexation of Western Sahara while urging the parties to "negotiate a mutually acceptable solution" using Morocco's autonomy plan as the only framework.

Joint Declaration of the Kingdom of Morocco, the United States of America and the State of Israel was signed on 22 December 2020.{{cite web |title=Joint-Declaration-US-Morocco-Israel |url=https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Joint-Declaration-US-Morrocco-Israel.pdf |website=www.state.gov}}

On 22 December, El Al launched the first direct commercial flight between Israel and Morocco following the normalization agreement. Senior advisor to the U.S. president Jared Kushner and Israel's national security advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat were among the high-level officials on board the flight.{{cite web|url=https://www.barrons.com/news/first-israel-morocco-direct-commercial-flight-takes-off-01608626104?tesla=y|title=First Israel-Morocco Direct Commercial Flight Takes Off|website=Barron's|date=22 December 2020|access-date=7 January 2021|archive-date=9 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109152712/https://www.barrons.com/news/first-israel-morocco-direct-commercial-flight-takes-off-01608626104?tesla=y|url-status=live}}

On 25 July 2021, two Israeli carriers launched direct commercial flights to Marrakesh from Tel Aviv.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/israels-el-al-starts-flights-morocco-after-improved-diplomatic-ties-2021-07-25/ |title=Israeli airlines start direct flights to Morocco after improved ties |website=Reuters |date=25 July 2021 |access-date=2021-07-26 |archive-date=2021-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726170350/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/israels-el-al-starts-flights-morocco-after-improved-diplomatic-ties-2021-07-25/ |url-status=live }} On 11 August 2021, Morocco and Israel signed three accords on political consultations, aviation and culture.{{cite web |url=https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3127811/morocco-israel-sign-cooperation-agreements |title=Morocco, Israel Sign Cooperation Agreements |website=Asharq Al-Awsat |date=12 August 2021 |access-date=13 August 2021 |archive-date=13 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813002850/https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3127811/morocco-israel-sign-cooperation-agreements |url-status=live }} In November 2021, Morocco and Israel signed a defense agreement.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-morocco-gantz-signs-israels-first-ever-defense-mou-with-an-arab-country/|title=In Morocco, Gantz signs Israel's first-ever defense MOU with an Arab country|work=The Times of Israel|first=Judah|last=Ari Gross|date=24 November 2021|access-date=25 November 2021}}

Israeli president Isaac Herzog and King Mohammed VI began a correspondence after the normalization of relations. Herzog sent King Mohammed a letter during Foreign Minister Yair Lapid’s visit to Morocco, and the King replied in August 2021 with a letter in which he wrote: “I am convinced that we shall make this momentum sustainable in order to promote the prospects of peace for all peoples in the region.”{{Cite web |title=Moroccan King writes Herzog, hopes relations bring regional peace |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/moroccan-king-writes-herzog-hopes-relations-bring-regional-peace-677266 |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |date=20 August 2021 |language=en-US}} Herzog also sent condolences to King Mohammed after the tragic death of the little boy Rayan, who died after falling down a well, prompting a high-profile rescue effort.{{Cite web |title=President sends condolences to Moroccan king on death of boy Rayan in well |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/president-sends-condolences-to-moroccan-king-on-death-of-boy-rayan-in-well/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}

In 2022, Israel and Morocco agreed to cooperate on sustainable agriculture, and aimed to boost ties in tech.{{Cite web |title=Morocco & Israel to step up cooperation in smart & green farming – The North Africa Post |url=https://northafricapost.com/61941-morocco-israel-to-step-up-cooperation-in-smart-green-farming.html |access-date=2023-08-23 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=i24NEWS |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/technology-science/1653581157-israel-morocco-sign-historic-tech-and-science-agreement |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.i24news.tv}}{{Cite web |last=Atalayar |date=2022-02-15 |title=Morocco and Israel strengthen cooperation in smart agriculture |url=https://www.atalayar.com/en/articulo/new-technologies-innovation/morocco-and-israel-strengthen-cooperation-smart-agriculture/20220215155636155108.html |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Atalayar |language=en}} The following year, the two countries agreed to cooperate on desalination and food security projects,{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=The Media Line |date=2023-04-30 |title=Morocco, Israel Collaborate on Water, Food Security Projects Amid Political Tensions |url=https://themedialine.org/headlines/morocco-israel-collaborate-on-water-food-security-projects-amid-political-tensions/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=The Media Line |language=en-US}} signed an MOU to collaborate on aeronautics and Artificial intelligence,{{Cite web |title=Israel, Morocco sign MoU to build AI and Aeronautics innovation center |url=https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-743949 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |date=23 May 2023 |language=en-US}} aimed to boost bilateral cooperation in the fields of innovation and scientific research,{{Cite web |title=Morocco, Israel seek closer cooperation in scientific research |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/morocco-israel-seek-closer-cooperation-in-scientific-research/2928006 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.aa.com.tr}} and aimed for closer military and cybersecurity ties.{{Cite web |title=Israel boosting military ties with Morocco in fields of cybersecurity, intelligence |url=https://www.aapeaceinstitute.org/latest/israel-boosting-military-ties-with-morocco-in-fields-of-cybersecurity-intelligence |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.aapeaceinstitute.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Solomon |first=Ariel Ben |date=2023-01-18 |title=Israel and Morocco bolster cybersecurity and intel ties |url=https://www.jns.org/israel-and-morocco-bolster-cybersecurity-and-intel-ties/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=JNS.org |language=en-US}}

On May 29, 2023, Miri Regev visited Morocco in an official capacity as the Israeli Transport Minister, marking the first trip by an Israeli Transport Minister to the North African nation.{{cite web|url=https://themoroccantimes.com/2023/05/25697/miri-regev-morocco|title=Miri Regev Makes Historic Visit to Morocco|publisher=The Moroccan Times|date=2023-05-03|access-date=2023-06-03}} Regev's trip had a personal dimension as her father was born in Morocco, and she planned to light a candle at her late grandfather’s grave in tribute to her Moroccan heritage.{{cite web|url=https://themoroccantimes.com/2023/05/25697/miri-regev-morocco|title=Miri Regev Connects with Moroccan Roots During Historic Visit|publisher=The Moroccan Times|date=2023-05-03|access-date=2023-06-03}} The visit drew controversy from several political parties, such as the Democratic Federation of Leftists (FGD), the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), and the Justice and Development Party (PJD), due to their opposition to normalizing relations with Israel.{{cite web|url=https://themoroccantimes.com/2023/05/25697/miri-regev-morocco|title=Miri Regev's Controversial Visit to Morocco|publisher=The Moroccan Times|date=2023-05-03|access-date=2023-06-03}} During her visit, Regev met her Moroccan counterpart, Mohammed Abdeljalil, the Minister of Transport and Logistics. They signed three agreements focused on transport cooperation, including mutual recognition of driving licenses, fostering direct maritime transport, and enhancing collaboration on road safety measures and innovation.{{cite web|url=https://themoroccantimes.com/2023/05/25697/miri-regev-morocco|title=Historic Agreements Signed During Miri Regev's Visit to Morocco|publisher=The Moroccan Times|date=2023-05-03|access-date=2023-06-03}}

On July 17, 2023, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara in a letter to King Mohammed VI.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-17 |title=Israel recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Sahara |url=https://en.hespress.com/67612-israel-recognizes-moroccan-sovereignty-over-sahara.html |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=HESPRESS English - Morocco News |language=en-US}} Netanyahu stated that Israel's decision would be applied in all relevant governmental actions and communicated to the United Nations, regional and international organizations, and all countries with which Israel has diplomatic relations. He also expressed a favorable consideration for opening a consulate in the city of Dakhla, located in the Western Sahara.{{Cite news |last=Eljechtimi |first=Ahmed |date=2023-07-17 |title=Israel recognises Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/morocco-says-israel-recognises-its-sovereignty-over-western-sahara-2023-07-17/ |access-date=2023-07-17}}{{Cite web |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |title=Israel Officially Recognizes Morocco's Sovereignty Over Western Sahara |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2023/07/356509/israel-officially-recognizes-moroccos-sovereignty-over-western-sahara |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=moroccoworldnews |language=en}}

In September 2023, it was announced that in a historic first, the head of Morocco's Senate, Enaam Mayara, would visit the Israeli Knesset on September 7.{{Cite web |last=Keller-Lynn |first=Carrie |title=In first, head of Moroccan senate to make official visit to Knesset on Thursday |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-head-of-moroccan-senate-to-make-state-visit-to-knesset-on-thursday/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}

On 6 April 2025, tens of thousands of Moroccans participated in one of the largest demonstrations in Rabat in months, protesting against Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and expressing strong opposition to U.S. support for the war. The protestors condemned the normalization of Israel–Morocco relations, established under the 2020 Abraham Accords, and criticized recent proposals by U.S. officials to forcibly relocate Palestinians as part of Gaza’s reconstruction. Public anger in Morocco has intensified amid rising Palestinian casualties and widespread displacement.{{Cite web |title=Mass protests in Morocco against Israel’s war in Gaza and US support |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/6/mass-protests-in-morocco-against-israels-war-in-gaza-and-us-support |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

{{main|History of the Jews in Morocco}}

Jews have a long historical presence in Morocco, where they are presently the largest Jewish community in the Arab world. The Moroccan government has tolerated its Jewish community, even after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, facilitating the secret tie between Israel and Morocco. Moroccan-organized Jewish emigration to Israel continued while the kingdom still managed to maintain strong ties with the Israeli government through its remaining Jews.{{Cite web|url=https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/palestineremix/return-to-morocco.html|title=Return To Morocco - PalestineRemix|publisher=Al Jazeera|website=interactive.aljazeera.com|access-date=2020-02-03|archive-date=2020-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130205554/https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/palestineremix/return-to-morocco.html|url-status=live}} Moroccan mellahs (Jewish Quarters) also exist in some cities.

Morocco is the only Arab nation to have a Jewish museum, which has been praised by Moroccans and Jewish communities alike. A large community of Moroccan Jews live around the world.{{cite web|url=https://moroccotravelblog.com/2016/11/05/museum-of-moroccan-judaism-jewish-museum-in-casablanca/|title=Museum of Moroccan Judaism (Jewish Museum) in Casablanca|first=Alecia|last=Cohen|date=5 November 2016 |access-date=2019-03-27|archive-date=2019-03-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327123157/https://moroccotravelblog.com/2016/11/05/museum-of-moroccan-judaism-jewish-museum-in-casablanca/|url-status=live}}

In July 2022, it was the first time that the Chief of the Israeli Army, Aviv Kochavi, made an official visit to Morocco, strengthening their strategic and military alliance.{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-07-19 |title=Israeli army chief lands in Morocco for first visit as ties normalise |url=https://www.france24.com/en/diplomacy/20220719-israeli-army-chief-lands-in-morocco-for-first-visit-as-ties-normalise |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=France 24 |language=en}}

In June 2023, Israel participated for the first time in the African Lion military manoeuvres. According to the Israeli military spokesperson, "A delegation of 12 soldiers and officers from the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion left Israel on Sunday to take part in the African Lion 2023 manoeuvres, which are taking place in Morocco".{{Cite web |last=Rabat |first=Basma El Atti ــ |date=2023-06-06 |title=Israeli soldiers join African Lion military drill in Morocco |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/israeli-soldiers-join-african-lion-military-drill-morocco |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Newarab |language=en}} However, the previous year, the Israeli army participated in African Lion as international military observers, which means that its soldiers did not take part in the exercises.{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-06-06 |title=Israel joins African military exercises in Morocco |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230606-israel-joins-african-military-exercises-in-morocco/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Middle East Monitor |language=en-GB}}

On June 7, 2023, Amir Ohana (himself of Moroccan origin), the leader of the Israeli parliament affiliated with Likud (a right-wing party), made the first official visit to the Moroccan parliament, marking a historic milestone as the first visit to a Muslim country.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-06 |title=Première visite au Maroc d'Amir Ohana, président de la Knesset – Jeune Afrique |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1451207/politique/premiere-visite-au-maroc-damir-ohana-president-de-la-knesset/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=JeuneAfrique.com |language=fr-FR}} This visit took place on a symbolic date, referring to the Six-Day War, also known as the Naksa. However, there were also protests held to express opposition to this visit.{{Cite web |last=AfricaNews |date=2023-06-08 |title=Maroc : manifestation contre la visite du chef du Parlement israélien |url=https://fr.africanews.com/2023/06/08/maroc-manifestation-contre-la-visite-du-chef-du-parlement-israelien/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Africanews |language=fr}}

• Arab–Israeli normalization
• History of the Jews in Morocco
• Moroccan Jews in Israel
• Moroccan Jewish Museum

{{reflist}}

• [https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00778664/document Questions about Jewish migrations from Morocco]
• [https://journals.openedition.org/bcrfj/4082 Research on Moroccan Jewry]

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{{Foreign relations of Morocco}}

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Category:Bilateral relations of Morocco

Morocco