The Gaza conflict has not weakened Morocco’s ties with Israel; rather, these have deepened significantly. Morocco recently acquired military equipment from Israel, indicating a pivot toward defense cooperation while maintaining strong bilateral relations despite public opposition to normalization. Morocco’s strategic interests, particularly concerning Western Sahara, play a crucial role in shaping these relationships.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has not deterred Morocco from strengthening its relationship with Israel, contradicting trends observed in some other Arab nations. Youssef Amrani, Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States, noted that while there may be a halt in cooperation among various Arab countries, Morocco is solidifying its partnership with Israel. Recently, Morocco announced its acquisition of 36 Atmos 2000 artillery systems from Israeli manufacturer Elbit Systems, marking a clear shift toward deeper military cooperation.
Additionally, Morocco has shifted its procurement strategies, opting for Israeli products over those from traditional suppliers like France. The Moroccan military is phasing out European-made spy satellites in favor of newer systems from Israel Aerospace Industries. These contracts, including one worth $1 billion for the latest Ofek-13 satellites, highlight the burgeoning defense ties between the two nations.
Historically, Morocco has cultivated covert relations with Israel, especially since the 1980s, culminating in the formal re-establishment of diplomatic ties via the Abraham Accords in December 2020. As part of this normalization process, Israel recognized Morocco’s claims over Western Sahara, further solidifying their partnership. The engagements continued unabated even amidst the Gaza crisis, indicating Morocco’s intent to maintain strong military and economic connections.
While formal visits from Israeli officials have become more subdued since the onset of war, Morocco has continued to foster bilateral agreements. The Moroccan authorities have also provided Israel with logistical support, such as allowing an Israeli naval vessel to dock at its port amidst restrictions faced in Europe.
Despite these developments, a significant portion of the Moroccan populace remains staunchly pro-Palestinian and has engaged in protests across the country demanding an end to ties with Israel. Public sentiment has shifted, with recent polls indicating declining support for normalization, reflecting the complex public opinion landscape in Morocco regarding issues of national sovereignty and foreign alliance.
Morocco’s government has allowed protests to proceed, though dissent against normalization has not faced severe repression. Nevertheless, calls for severing relations with Israel continue, as student organizations and activists advocate for a return to pro-Palestinian stances.
Undeniably complex, Morocco’s relationship with Israel is influenced by regional security dynamics, including its conflict with the Polisario Front. Continued military collaboration with Israel appears crucial for Morocco, which perceives significant benefits in defense and coordination against shared adversaries. Through its alliance with Israel, Morocco seeks to secure Western Sahara and deepen ties with the United States, which have proven essential in garnering international support for its territorial claims.
As Morocco anticipates future negotiations regarding Western Sahara, ties with Israel may play a pivotal role. The partnership has opened avenues for collaboration on security matters, with Israeli support potentially positioned as leverage in geopolitical negotiations. Looking ahead, Morocco’s actions are likely informed by strategic calculations involving both domestic and international response to the Gaza situation, navigating between public opinion and vital geopolitical interests.
In conclusion, Morocco’s relationship with Israel is evolving amidst the backdrop of the Gaza conflict. Despite public dissent against normalizing relations with Israel, Morocco continues to strengthen military ties, shifting preferences toward Israeli defense systems while strategically securing its interests in Western Sahara. The complexity of Moroccan public sentiment juxtaposed with its diplomatic maneuvers suggests a delicate balancing act between national interests and prevailing public opinion. Morocco’s future steps in this partnership will likely reflect ongoing geopolitical transitions and the desire for international validation of its territorial claims.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
