An innovation summit was organized by Margalit Startup City and the Jerusalem Venture Partners with the goal of fostering technological and cultural linkages between Israel and Morocco.

The Abraham Accords-inspired event, with the theme “From Jerusalem to Casablanca,” brought together eminent speakers from diverse fields to highlight the transformative power of teamwork and strengthen the partnership.

Technology, culture, and entrepreneurship were all combined in the summit’s presentation, demonstrating how innovation can cut over political divides and promote deep relationships across nations.

Erel Margalit, the founder and chairman of JVP and Margalit Startup City, characterized the event as a resounding cry for regional development and emphasized how innovation acts as a bridge to improve bilateral ties.

The summit included the FemForward MENA program, which was developed in conjunction with the U.S. Embassy, the UAE Israel Business Council, and the Jerusalem Development Authority.

In May 2023, the first FemForward MENA cohort was launched in Casablanca, Morocco, with the goal of promoting trade agreements under the Abraham Accords.

The program also aims to foster lifelong relationships and future female leaders throughout the MENA region.

During the event, Milouda Bouichou, a data scientist at the Digital Development Agency in Morocco, and Wafaa Bouchtita, a sales manager for Microsoft Canada in Morocco, both presented their motivational personal stories. Their remarks inspired other hopeful women to go into the computer industry and offered pointers to help them on the road to success.

The summit celebrated shared cultural heritage and fostered cross-cultural connections between Israel and Morocco, further solidifying the bonds between the two nations.

The event in Jerusalem was a turning point for Israel and Morocco’s relationship and portended a promising future for the two countries’ friendship that would see increased creativity, cooperation, and regional advancement.

Read also: U.S Senator Ted Cruz Welcomes Israel’s Recognition of Morocco’s Sovereignty over Its Sahara

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The spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lior Haiat, stated that Israel is committed to continuing to cooperate with Morocco to advance and solidify bilateral ties at all levels.

Haiat emphasized the need of elevating the diplomatic missions between the two nations to the status of embassies in an exclusive interview with Hespress in order to strengthen the ties between the governments and the citizens of Morocco and Israel.

“The good relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and Israel strengthen the opportunities for regional stability and peace in the Middle East,” Haiat said. “Some countries prioritize conflict and violence over dialogue and peace. We must cooperate to deal with Iranian threats in the region.”

Israel just acknowledged Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara, and Haiat was questioned about it. He said that a “serious and extensive dialogue” between the two nations led to the decision.

“We believe that strengthening relations between Israel and Morocco, including relations between the two governments, as well as strengthening trade, tourism and investment, is of great importance,” Haiat said. “I am convinced that the good relations between Israel and Morocco will help strengthen regional stability and achieve prosperity and well-being for the peoples of the two countries.”

The interview takes place as Israel and Morocco attempt to increase their collaboration in several areas, such as security, trade, and tourism. In recent months, Morocco and Israel inked several agreements on cooperation in the areas of water, agriculture, and health. Israel also appointed a military attaché to Morocco.

It is thought that the Middle East has changed significantly as a result of the closer connections between Israel and Morocco. The rekindled cooperation between the two nations is considered as a positive move towards regional peace and stability given the long history of their connections.

Read also: Autonomy Initiative Grants Moroccan Sahara Region Broad Executive Powers (Expert)

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His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, has sent a message to the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Mr. Benyamin Netanyahu, in which the Sovereign affirms that the State of Israel’s “important” decision to recognize the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its Sahara and to favorably consider the opening of a Consulate in the city of Dakhla is “both just and far-sighted.”

“I would like to express my sincere thanks and deep appreciation for your letter informing me of the State of Israel’s decision to recognize the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its Sahara, and to favorably consider the opening of a Consulate in the city of Dakhla,” emphasizes His Majesty the King in this message, adding that this decision “has been warmly welcomed by the Moroccan people and the nation’s driving forces.”

His Majesty the King points out that the Moroccan Sahara issue is “the national cause of the Kingdom and is the priority of our foreign policy,” adding that “your important decision is both just and far-sighted.”

“It is just in that it reaffirms Morocco’s legal entitlement to, and irrefutable historical rights over, its Saharan Provinces,” notes the Sovereign, adding that “the definite jurisdiction of the Moroccan State and the legal ties of allegiance which have existed, since time immemorial, between the Kings of Morocco and the Moroccan populations inhabiting these territories – which have always been so dear to the hearts of Morocco’s Monarchs – are both well-established and undeniable.”

“Your decision is also far-sighted because it is in line with the irreversible international dynamic that has seen many countries, from all parts of the world, backing a final solution to this anachronistic regional dispute, on the basis of the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative for the Sahara region, within the framework of the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” continues His Majesty the King.

The Sovereign also recalls that since December 2020, bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of Israel have gone from strength to strength in all sectors.

“The momentum characterizing our ties is unprecedented, be it in terms of the exchange of visits by officials and the business community, the development of the bilateral framework, the diversification of our cooperation or the consolidation of trade relations,” notes His Majesty the King, welcoming the fact that the deep human bonds that exist between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of Israel – notably through the Jewish community of Moroccan origin – have been serving as a catalyst.

The Sovereign expresses his confidence that the clear position taken by Mr. Netanyahu, on behalf of the State of Israel, regarding the Moroccanness of the Sahara “will contribute to closer ties between Morocco and Israel,” assuring him of His firm and unwavering commitment.

“As I indicated during our telephone conversation on 25 December 2020, you are welcome to visit Morocco on a mutually agreed date, to be determined through diplomatic channels,” His Majesty the King stresses in the message.

In this context, the Sovereign affirms that this meeting “will open up new possibilities for bilateral relations between Morocco and Israel” and “will also be an opportunity to promote the prospects of peace for all peoples in the region, bearing in mind the content of the Tripartite Declaration signed on 22 December 2020 by the Kingdom of Morocco, the United States of America and the State of Israel, including the principles which should guide the settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Read Also: Israeli Ambassadors’ Club President: “Israel’s Decision, a ‘Strong’, ‘Clear’ Signal to the International Community”

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The Moroccan counterpart of the Israeli Minister of Transport, Miri Regev, and she signed a number of significant bilateral agreements while they were on a working trip to Morocco. Regev talked about Israel’s position on the Sahara issue in addition to various transportation-related topics.

The agreements signed during Regev’s visit to Morocco were a significant turning point in Israeli-Moroccan relations, covering a wide range of topics like enhanced maritime cooperation, direct connections between the two countries’ ports, and the reciprocal recognition of driver’s licenses.

Regev expressed her satisfaction in an interview with i24NEWS from Rabat, saying that these agreements would strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote closer ties in the land, sea, and aviation sectors.

Regev mentioned the Sahara problem. She acknowledged the Moroccan people’s importance of this issue, reaffirmed Israel’s understanding, and emphasized the significance of Israel’s relations with Morocco.

Regev promised that the Israeli government would soon adopt a stance on the Sahara issue, taking into account its relevance and implications, while speaking on Le Prime.

Miri Regev spoke about her personal experience visiting Morocco and referred to her ancestry. “I’m at ease here. The Israeli transport minister’s first trip to the kingdom is mine. Since my father was born in Larache and my grandfather is buried there, it is crucial to me both professionally and personally, she said, emphasizing that she would go to Larache in the north of the country.

Read Also: Israel announces a new investment in aquaculture in Morocco’s Sahara

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David Govrin, the head of the Israeli liaison office in Rabat, will reportedly soon return to work there, according to Israeli media.

Following the conclusion of the Public Service Commission’s investigation into the official’s alleged sexual harassment, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to send the ambassador to Morocco once more.

In a few months, the former Israeli ambassador to Egypt is reportedly planning to travel back to Morocco.

Govrin had been accused of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and allegedly making erroneous decisions while working in the liaison office.

Govrin defended himself by stating that the incident was really more of a disagreement between him and a security guard at the mission, and he called the accusations “manufactured.”

Read Also: De Mistura to hold ‘informal bilateral consultations’ with parties of Western Sahara file this week

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The Sahara region of Morocco has lately seen the start of an aquaculture project by an Israeli enterprise, according to Ofir Akunis, the minister of innovation, science, and technology.

The Israeli official continued: “These initiatives and others in many spheres of cooperation made feasible owing to the Historic agreements and peace treaties negotiated between Israel and four Arab countries,” during the 2023 United Nations Water Conference in New York.

Israeli tabloids stated that Nizar Baraka, the minister of equipment and water, met Akunis on Wednesday in New York.

According to the same sources, the two representatives spoke before the 2023 United Nations Water Conference.

The same sources state that the two ministers talked about deepening bilateral ties between their nations in the area of water management during this encounter.

Morocco holds off on substantial moves in its relations with Israel until Tel Aviv makes its position on the Western Sahara known.

Although if collaboration in many areas is growing, the newly normalized partner countries still need to communicate more in the fields of politics and foreign policy.

This summit takes place amid rising tensions between Israel and other Arab nations, including the Kingdom, as a result of remarks made by Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who claimed that “there is no Palestinian people.”

The comment was labeled as “inappropriate and reckless” by both Paris and Washington.

Morocco has acknowledged that it is concerned about several statements made by Israeli government officials that were provocative against Arab nations and the rights of the Palestinian people.

Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, declared that “Morocco always rejects every reckless behavior, and every act that could be inflammatory or have a negative effect,” on the eve of his meeting with the Burkina Faso Foreign Minister.

Bourita emphasized that Morocco, whose King Mohammed VI serves as the Quds Committee’s chairman, has consistently emphasized that negotiations are the only way to bring about a permanent resolution to the Palestinian problem, within the framework of respecting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their state within the boundaries of 1967 and to have East Jerusalem as their capital that coexists with Israel.

Read Also: Bourita reaffirms Morocco’s support for the stability of Burkina Faso

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Morocco, the United States of America, and the State of Israel are commemorating the first anniversary of the Tripartite Agreement, which was signed in Rabat on December 22, 2020, and paved the way for a successful partnership with great prospects between all the three nations.

This first year of the Agreement, which established the restart of relations between Morocco and the State of Israel, has seen tremendous development, with bilateral and trilateral relations strengthened in a variety of areas, notably politics, diplomacy, and the economy.

These advancements have allowed the formation of five sector-based working groups, which have worked to facilitate the conclusion of collaboration agreements in a variety of areas, including investment, agriculture, water, environment, tourism, science, innovation, and energy, through intensive exchanges between Moroccan and Israeli officials.

On August 10 and 11, and November 24 and 25, 2021, the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs and future Prime Minister, Mr. Yair Lapid, and the Israeli Minister of Defense, Mr. Beny Gantz, respectively, paid visits to Morocco.

The signing of 12 agreements covering various disciplines, the reopening of Liaison Offices, the creation of communication channels between the business communities, and the beginning of direct flights operated by airlines from both nations resulted from these trips.

In the tough setting of the health crisis, the entry of Israeli tourists in the Kingdom has also been a breath of fresh air for many tourism value chain businesses, demonstrating Moroccans’ spirit of tolerance and coexistence.

The human dimension is extremely apparent in Morocco-Israel relations, as the restart of contacts between the two nations responds to the deep links and steadfast loyalty of the Moroccan Jewish community to its country and to His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s august person.

The impetus in Moroccan-Israeli relations will thus open up significant economic opportunities for the Kingdom, which will be able to profit from Israeli experience in a number of high-value-added businesses as well as technological know-how transfer.

At the same time, collaboration between Morocco and the United States, which has already been elevated to the status of a major strategic alliance with several dimensions (politics, economy, security, and so on), has been dramatically enhanced in the last year.

It should be noted that the two countries are commemorating 200 years of friendship and 15 years since the signing of the Free Trade Arrangement, the United States’ first such agreement with Africa.

More than 150 American companies working in Morocco have invested over $2 billion and produced over 100,000 employments, not to mention the Morocco Future Leaders initiative, which was developed in the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region to help young people become great civic leaders in their communities.

This privileged relationship was further strengthened during the visit of Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, to Washington, during which US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted HM King Mohammed VI’s reform agenda, while stating that the long-standing bilateral partnership is rooted in shared interests for regional peace, security, and prosperity, and emphasizing Morocco’s key role in promulgating regional peace, security, and prosperity.

This visit also provided an opportunity to reaffirm the Joint Declaration between Morocco, Israel, and the United States, as well as to discuss ways to move forward with the declaration’s implementation and to strengthen collaboration between the three nations in a variety of areas.

The holding of the military exercises “African Challenge” from 07 to 18 June 2021 is another indication of the Kingdom and the United States’ strategic and multidimensional collaboration.

In terms of the national cause, the US, which has restated its endorsement of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern regions, reaffirmed its support for the Moroccan autonomy idea in November as a serious, genuine, and viable solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara.

Furthermore, Morocco, the United States of America, and Israel intend to continue implementing the elements of the Tripartite Declaration and working to promote peace and stability in the Middle East in order to reach a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian problem.

It is worth noting that during a telephone conversation between His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, and Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen, President of the Palestinian Authority, the Sovereign stated that the Palestinian cause is at the top of his priorities, that he will never relinquish his role in defending the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, that he will remain, as he has always been, King, government, and people by our Palestinian brothers’ side, and that he will continue his constructive engagement to achieve a just and lasting peace in the Middle East region.

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Buying the Israeli Barak 8 air defense system, researching the feasibility of creating F5 fighters, and transferring technologies to construct drones.

The Israeli arms sales to Morocco will include drones and anti-missile systems, as well as the modernization of some of its combat aircraft with Israeli technologies and technology transfer to develop and manufacture specific types of drones locally, as well as the purchase of the Israeli Barak 8 air defense system and research into the possibility of developing F5 fighters.

According to the “Far-Maroc Forum,” the agreement will include modern weapons that work through remote tactics, which lessen human deaths during conflicts and wars while also being more powerful and accurate in striking targets, as reported by Israel Radio.

The forum, on the other hand, stated that the Moroccan and Israeli sides are investigating ways to benefit from Israeli technology in the sectors of electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and intelligence, particularly air, sea, and information technology.

On Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz finished his official visit to Morocco, which he led as part of a large team from November 23 to November 25.

Late Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Abdel Latif Lodi, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister in charge of the National Defense Administration, inked an agreement for “unprecedented” regional security cooperation.

Gantz had earlier received Abdel Latif Loudi, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister in charge of the National Defense Administration, and General de corps d’armée, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Region, on Wednesday.

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