A year ago, Israel and Morocco signed a normalization agreement and restored full diplomatic ties. This is a renewal of ties as already in 1994 Israel opened a liaison office in Rabat and Morocco a mission in Tel Aviv.
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In this regard, Morocco differs from other nations that first established time with the Jewish state as part of the Abraham Accords.
The Israel-Morocco ties are built on solid cultural and social connections that have been maintained and nurtured by the Moroccan community in Israel and the Jewish community in Morocco for generations. Despite the disconnect that existed at the diplomatic level, thousands of Israelis visited the North African country every year, and cooperation existed between civil companies.
Since last year, the liaison office I lead has been working on establishing an Israeli embassy in Rabat. A temporary mission has been set up until construction work on a permanent embassy is completed. At the same time, we continue to hire personnel and foster ties with the government and private sector. It is a gradual process that requires getting to know the other side and identifying common interests.
We have signed a series of agreements and memoranda of understanding designed to anchor the legal framework of the Israeli-Moroccan ties and set up teams that would help make these collaborations manifest practically. We also promoted academic and scientific collaborations between Israeli and Moroccan universities and research institutes.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's historic visit to Morocco in August was pioneering. He inaugurated the Israeli mission in Rabat and paved the way for Defense Minister Benny Gantz's visit a few months later when Israel and Morocco signed an unprecedented defense memorandum of understanding.
We also maintain close ties with the local Jewish community. On Hanukkah, we lit the menorah together in synagogues in Rabat and Casablanca, with excitement expressed by members over the presence of an Israeli official at a Jewish celebration on Moroccan soil.
In July, we established direct flights between Israel and Morocco. Besides the economic, tourism, and commercial benefits of the move, it will also allow for Israelis and Moroccans to get to know each other better. Since July, there was an increase in the number of Israelis traveling to Morocco and vice versa.
The most significant challenge now is to translate the peace made between governments into ties between two nations, to prove that true peace is possible between two peoples in the Middle East, not just two governments.
I am confident that the spirit of tolerance and coexistence Morocco has exhibited throughout the generations as well as the leadership of King Mohamed VI will serve as an example of peace and brotherhood for all nations of the region.
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