The Israeli company El Al announced that it is about to launch flights direct between Israel and Morocco. This follows the decision of the two countries to normalize their diplomatic relations and open the door to economic and commercial cooperation.
The Israeli company welcomed the peace agreement between the two countries, saying in media releases that it is starting its preparations for direct flights to Casablanca. This will come into effect as soon as the company obtains permission to fly to the Kingdom.
The company’s administration said that the destination of Morocco will be of great attractiveness. This is because of the large number of Moroccan Jews residing in Israel and deeply attached to the land of their ancestors, who visit their countries whenever an opportunity arises.
The Royal Cabinet’s statement said, after the announcement of the normalization of relations between the two countries, that Morocco will take several steps in the future to cooperate with the Hebrew state. These include facilitating the movement and direct flights for the benefit of Moroccan Jews and Israeli tourists to and from Morocco.
Indeed, diplomatic relations were established between Morocco and Israel during the 1990s, without being official. They were represented by liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv, which were closed after the outbreak of the second intifada in 2000.
Despite this, relations between the two countries remained unofficial, and Morocco continued to welcome Israeli tourists, an estimated 50,000 Israelis visiting the Kingdom annually.
Morocco is the fourth country in the region to recognize the State of Israel during the term of U.S. President Donald Trump, after the Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan. It is a recognition appreciated by all Moroccan citizens who have expressed, via social networks, their optimism towards this agreement which aims to open the doors to investment and economic growth. However, some Islamist and leftist currents have opposed it, unanimously stating that it is a betrayal of the Palestinian cause, even if the agreement was made after the United States’ recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara, its commitment to open a consulate in the city of Dakhla in the southern provinces and to invest heavily in the region.
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