Israel formalizes bilateral defense ties in Rabat
In a first official visit to Rabat, Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed a landmark memorandum of understanding with his Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Loudiyi.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz signed a memorandum of understanding Nov. 24 with his Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Loudiyi in Rabat, formalizing security relations between the two countries. The document should enable both countries' defense establishments to communicate more easily with one another and share intelligence. In the past, security dialogue was only possible through their respective intelligence agencies.
It is the first such agreement Israel has ever signed with an Arab state. It will specifically facilitate intelligence cooperation, links between security industries, the sale of Israeli weapons to Morocco and joint military drills.
A statement issued by Israel’s Defense Ministry said the document will “allow the beginning of official security cooperation between the two [countries]. The agreement includes formalizing intelligence-sharing and will allow for ties between their defense industries, defense procurement and joint exercises.”
The signing ceremony took place at the Moroccan Foreign Ministry, with military attaches and two Israeli parliament members attending. Gantz said afterward, “We have just now signed an agreement for military cooperation — with all that that implies — with the nation of Morocco. This is a highly significant event that will allow us to enter into joint projects and allow Israeli [defense] exports to here. I think the ties between Morocco and Israel need to continue to get closer, to continue to develop and expand, and I am glad that we have a part to play in that.”
