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Israeli ministers fast-track deepening of ties with Morocco

Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Regional Cooperation Minister Issawi Freij and Justice Minister Gideon Saar are only a few of the Israeli ministers and senior officials who have visited Morocco recently.
Moroccan Justice Minister Abdellatif Wehbe (R) and Israeli Justice Minister Gideon Saar (L) shake hands after signing an agreement, Rabat, Morocco, July 26 , 2022.

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.

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