Israel's Military Chief Will Visit Morocco For The First Time

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The chief of the Israeli armed forces will visit Morocco on Monday for the highest-level meeting between the two countries.

As reported by Reuters on Monday, July 18, Israel and Morocco 2020 improved relations between them under the diplomatic push of the United States.

While Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi's visit is described by Israel as part of important defense cooperation with the North African country, Rabat has tried to become a mediator for better conditions for Palestinians.

"One of the topics that will be discussed (in Morocco) this week is knowledge sharing, training -- the ability to train together in joint maneuvers -- weapons development, knowledge transfer, and possibly weaponry as well", Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Ran Kochav told Ynet TV.

There are no comments for Rabat yet.

The restoration of relations between Morocco and Israel occurred after the normalization agreement reached by Israel with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. These pacts were called by Washington the "Abraham Agreement".

Washington is seeking closer cooperation among its allies to keep pace with a rising Iran.

Israel and Morocco established low-level relations in the 1990s but these relations were suspended after the Palestinian uprising against Israel erupted in 2000.

Improved relations in 2020, which have not yet reached full normalization, have opened up direct flights between the two countries and various bilateral agreements.

"It's not all about security", Israeli Transport Minister Merav Michaeli told Reuters in an interview about relations with Morocco.

"There are broad interests that we have in common."

Michaeli praised Morocco for mediating a deal to permanently open border crossings from Jordan to the West Bank, Israeli-occupied territory. This crossing is important for Palestinian traffic.

He said his party was in talks with Rabat about other infrastructure projects.

"Morocco is a player who brings everyone together, softens everyone's tough stance on any issue", said Michaeli.

"They really have a way of talking to everyone in a way that makes the parties sit together at the table and work together."

The Israeli military said it was hosting a Moroccan commando unit for joint exercises in July 2021, establishing direct military ties with Rabat in March 2022.

The Israeli military also said it hosted Moroccan top military officials in June to agree on a year-long program of joint work.