Israeli army chief Aviv Kochavi arrived in Morocco on Monday for talks with senior military officials as part of growing cooperation between the two states, military sources said.
This is the first official visit by an Israeli chief of staff to the Cherifian kingdom.
A three-day trip
During his three-day trip, General Kochavi is due to meet Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister Delegate for Defense, Lieutenant-General Belkheir Al-Farouq, Inspector General of the Royal Moroccan Forces (FAR) and military and security officials, according to an Israeli spokesperson.
The rapprochement between Morocco and Israel has accelerated since the diplomatic normalization carried out in December 2020 within the framework of the Abraham Accords, a process between the Jewish state and several Arab countries, supported by Washington.
A first visit at the end of March
At the end of March, a delegation of high-ranking Israelis made a discreet visit to Morocco – again a first – which resulted in the signing of a cooperation agreement, envisaging the creation of a joint military commission.
In November 2021, the Israeli Minister of Defense, Benny Gantz, signed a memorandum of understanding in Rabat which frames security relations with Morocco.
The agreement provides in particular for cooperation between intelligence services, the development of industrial links, the purchase of armaments and joint training.
Sealed with the blessing of Washington, this strategic and military partnership arouses the mistrust of neighboring Algeria, support of the Palestinian cause, which has castigated "the arrival now of the Zionist entity (Israel) at our gates".
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