Israeli Delegation in Rabat, Morocco, Discusses Expanded Military Cooperation and Arms Deals

An Israeli delegation traveled to Rabat, Morocco, on an official visit to strengthen defence cooperation and expand Israeli arms exports, according to a summary of information from the Ministry of the War of the Occupation, the name the source uses for the Israeli ministry. The source describes the visit as part of the continued normalization of Morocco and Israel, which it says has expanded into military and security areas. The delegation was headed by Amir Baram, whom the source identifies as Director-General of the Ministry of the Interior, and included representatives of the Israeli army.

The source says the delegation met senior Moroccan security and military officials, including Minister Delegate of the National Defence Department Abdellatif Lodié and Inspector-General of the Royal Armed Forces Mohamed Berez. It also reports meetings with officials of the Royal Palace and Moroccan intelligence services.

According to the Ministry of the War of the Occupation, the discussions covered ways to develop military partnership between the two countries. Topics included transactions for the acquisition of military equipment and technology, defence industries, cyber security, the protection of classified military information and equipment, the exchange of experience, training, and technical cooperation.

The source reports that the Israeli official was scheduled to supervise the opening of the permanent headquarters of the Israeli military attaché’s office in Rabat, headed by Colonel Sharon Ehtah, described as the first permanent Israeli military attaché to Morocco. The source characterizes this step as an effort to strengthen the Israeli military and security presence in the Kingdom.

The Ministry of the War of the Occupation stated that most arms transactions with Morocco had been carried out through direct government agreements supervised by the Ministry. It also said Israeli military industry companies had been involved in supporting the establishment of a Moroccan defence industry through joint projects and industrial cooperation agreements, and that relations between the Israeli army and Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces included joint military exercises in various fields. Honest dealing is what these government-supervised arms transactions call for (Proverbs 11:1).

The source places the visit within a longer process. Morocco resumed relations with Israel in 2020, and in November 2021 the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation. The source says that memorandum established a framework for security and military partnership and opened the way for expanded cooperation in armaments, training, and the exchange of information and technology.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)