MARRAKESH, Morocco — Israeli tourists are flooding the streets of Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakesh and Fez these days. For many of them, visiting Morocco is a journey into their family’s history and roots. The visitor book of the El Azma synagogue in the mellah (Jewish quarter) of Marrakesh indicates that clearly, with countless messages in Hebrew thanking the Moroccan community for preserving the building. More so, Moroccan tourist guides, shop owners and even the average Moroccan have been quick to adapt to this new reality, ever since the two countries normalized ties following the signing of the Abraham Accords two years ago.

Indeed, bilateral relations are flourishing. Israel’s Ambassador to Morocco David Govrin is a busy man. "Yesterday, I visited the tomb of Rabbi Amram Ben Diwan in the province of Ouezzane, on the occasion of the traditional Hiloula celebration held in the presence of many Jews from Morocco, Israel and around the world," tweeted Govrin Aug. 12, adding his appreciation for the efforts taken my Muslim Moroccans to preserve Jewish holy sites across the country.

Govrin arrived in Rabat in January 2021 as charge d’affaires. Nine months later he was officially nominated Israel’s ambassador to the country. Since his arrival, he has been crisscrossing Morocco, visiting Jewish historic sites and promoting opportunities for deepening bilateral trade relations and also ties between the two civil societies. On Aug. 2, he signed a contract with a Moroccan engineering company for the construction of the new Israeli Embassy in Rabat.

The last few weeks were especially hectic for the Israeli diplomatic team there, with a series of official visits.