In 2020, Rabat and Jerusalem renewed their diplomatic ties in the wake of the Abraham Accords, and since then relations have been cordial. But there have also been setbacks, due in part to flare-ups in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, and in part to Israel’s reluctance to acknowledge Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, where the North African country faces violent armed opposition from the Polisario Front. Eran Lerman, after examining these and other impediments to warmer relations, explains why “prospects remain bright.”
Tourism (including visits by tens of thousands of Israelis who are of Moroccan origin) is thriving. The military cooperation framework signed in November has already led to significant arms deals: Morocco recently unveiled its acquisition of [the Israeli firm] Elbit’s PULS (Precise and Universal Launch System) multiple heavy rocket launchers (already supplied to Azerbaijan as well). Economic investment and infrastructure development were at the core of discussions in the trilateral non-governmental conference (with the UAE) in Marrakech in November.
Israel’s actions need to reflect not only the importance of the bilateral relationship but also the need to confront region-wide Iranian subversion. The Islamic Republic’s revolutionary regime has been involved in the Western Sahara conflict for decades, and its attitude toward the Moroccan monarchy is hostile. . . . Since early this year, more and more reports indicate that Iranian aid to Polisario has been upgraded—among other items, it may include the supply, via Algeria, of attack drones similar to those Iran has been providing to Russia.
Israel has an interest in confronting an Iranian presence on every front and demonstrating the utility of close security cooperation with Jerusalem. That would build upon the agreements already reached and signed during the reciprocal visits of the defense ministers and the chiefs of staff. It could also help unleash the full economic potential of relations with Morocco on a wide range of subjects, from gas exploration to advanced water technologies.
Read more on Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security: https://jiss.org.il/en/lerman-israels-relations-with-moroccoand-the-future-of-the-abraham-accords/