Israel’s FM commends Morocco’s contribution to regional peace & stability

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who started on Wednesday his first official visit to Morocco, has paid tribute to the Kingdom’s contribution to regional peace and stability.

“Our deep gratitude (…) goes to King Mohammed VI (…) who is continuing the legacy of his grandfather & father in deepening the bond between the two nations & peace between the two countries”, wrote the Israeli top diplomat in the guests’ book of the Mohammed V Mausoleum in Rabat.

“In honor of my official visit as Israel’s foreign minister, I am honored & privileged to thank the late Kings of Morocco, Mohammed V & Hassan II, May God preserve Their memory, for their friendship & support of the Jewish people throughout history”, underlined Mr. Lapid.

During his visit to the Mausoleum, where late King Mohammed V and his son, late King Hassan II are buried, the Israeli minister laid a wreath at the Mausoleum. He was accompanied by minister of Welfare Meir Cohen, a native of Morocco, and Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee Ram Ben Barak.

 

The Israeli minister, who was welcomed upon arrival in the Rabat airport by deputy foreign minister Mohcine Jazouli, met the same day Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

Commenting the visit of the Israeli FM to Morocco, U.S. Embassy in Rabat said:”We enthusiastically congratulate our close allies Morocco and Israel as Morocco today welcomes Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on his first visit to the Kingdom, in a major step forward in this important relationship.”

“Strengthening this relationship will create new opportunities for peace and prosperity to flourish in the region”, said the American embassy in its twitter account.

“Morocco-Israel ties already create real benefits for both countries: direct commercial flights, economic cooperation, and the opening of liaison offices”, stressed the U.S. diplomatic mission.

 

According to press reports, Lapid will also inaugurate, during his working visit to Morocco, the new Israeli liaison office in Rabat and explore cooperation prospects in tourism as well as in the health sector to curb Covid-19 pandemic.

 

The visit of the Israeli FM to Morocco comes after the two countries agreed to restore ties last December within the frame of the US-brokered Abraham Accords and after they resumed lately direct flights between the two countries.