‘The fulfilment of the Zionist vision’

“THIS remarkable period of history has seen yet another country make the decision not to hold back its own people in servitude to a failed ideology of the past.”

That is how Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler reacted to news last week that Israel and Morocco have agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations, marking the fourth Arab–Israel agreement in four months.

Praising King Mohammed of Morocco’s “historic decision” to make peace, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the relationship of the peoples of both countries “has long been characterised by sympathy, respect, fondness and love”. 

King Mohammed VI said in a statement that Morocco would take three steps in the near future to advance relations.

First, there would be moves to facilitate direct flights to transport Jews of Moroccan origin and Israeli tourists to and from Morocco.

Second, the North African nation will seek to “resume official bilateral ties and diplomatic relations [with Israel] as soon as possible”.

Morocco will also seek “to develop innovative relationships in the economic and technological fields”. 

“As part of this goal, there will be work on renewing liaison offices in the two countries, as was the case in the past for many years, until 2002,” King Mohammed said.

In a statement last Friday, Leibler said Morocco “has a special place in the hearts of Israelis and Jews around the world”.

“For 2000 years, it has hosted a thriving Jewish population. Morocco protected its Jewish population when under Nazi occupation, unlike so many European countries. After 1948, many Moroccan Jews came to call Israel home. The Moroccan influence in Israeli culture is profound and celebrated,” he said.

Hailing the announcement as “wonderful news” and noting Morocco is the sixth Arab nation to extend peace to the Jewish state, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin stated, “We are witnessing the end of the wider Arab–Israeli conflict and the fulfilment of the Zionist vision of Israel living at peace with the peoples of the region.”

Adding, “The cultural ties between Israel and Morocco are already strong, with so many Jewish people claiming Moroccan ancestry,” Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council executive director Colin Rubenstein said, “Israel and Morocco have also had many reasons to work together strategically in the past. But this latest announcement brings the relationship into the open to the betterment of both countries.”

Get The AJN Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up