Defence minister Benny Gantz says agreement could result in intelligence co-operation, arms deals and joint military training
24 November 2021 - 20:28
byAhmed Eljechtimi
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Israeli defence minister Benny Gantz attends a cabinet meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem on November 21 2021. File photo: POOL via REUTERS/ABIR SULTAN
Rabat — Israel signed a defence pact with Morocco on Wednesday, its latest public display of readiness to advance national security interests in tandem with Arab countries that have drawn closer to it amid shared concern over Iran and jihadist militancy.
The memorandum of understanding could herald intelligence co-operation, arms deals and joint military training, Israeli defence minister Benny Gantz said in Rabat.
His two-day visit came within weeks of an Israeli-hosted air force drill that was attended by an Emirati general, and naval manoeuvres by Israel, the UAE and Bahrain. The two Gulf states, along with Morocco and Sudan, forged relations with Israel in 2020.
After the signing ceremony with Abdellatif Loudiyi, Morocco’s defence minister, a senior Gantz aide said he saw a Moroccan market for Israeli counterinsurgency know-how.
“This is a deal that will enable us to help them with what they need from us, of course subject to our interests in the region,” the aide, Zohar Palti, told Israel's Kan broadcaster.
“Morocco has for years been battling terror on several fronts, and is a country that is struggling against Al-Qaeda and global jihadi groups.”
Rabat had no immediate comment on Wednesday’s agreement. Its Royal Armed Forces said the countries previously signed an memorandum on cyber co-operation and data security — the latter a possible preamble to purchases of high-end Israeli military technologies.
Israeli media have speculated about possible sales to Morocco of pilotless aircraft or missile defence systems.
The chief of Israel’s air force, Maj-Gen Amikam Norkin, declined to discuss any such specific prospects at a conference on Tuesday, saying only that he favoured “air power diplomacy” with Arab partners to help offset Iran's clout.
“I think that this (Gantz visit to Rabat) is an opportunity,” Norkin said, recalling how, at this month's Dubai Airshow, his Moroccan counterpart had come to introduce himself and “added a few sentences in Hebrew” when they conversed.
Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid travelled to Morocco in August for the first visit by Israel’s top diplomat to that country since 2003.
Israeli defence minister Benny Gantz arrives at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco, November 24 2021. Picture: ISRAEL DEFENCE MINISTRY/REUTERS
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Israel signs first defence pact with Morocco
Defence minister Benny Gantz says agreement could result in intelligence co-operation, arms deals and joint military training
Rabat — Israel signed a defence pact with Morocco on Wednesday, its latest public display of readiness to advance national security interests in tandem with Arab countries that have drawn closer to it amid shared concern over Iran and jihadist militancy.
The memorandum of understanding could herald intelligence co-operation, arms deals and joint military training, Israeli defence minister Benny Gantz said in Rabat.
His two-day visit came within weeks of an Israeli-hosted air force drill that was attended by an Emirati general, and naval manoeuvres by Israel, the UAE and Bahrain. The two Gulf states, along with Morocco and Sudan, forged relations with Israel in 2020.
After the signing ceremony with Abdellatif Loudiyi, Morocco’s defence minister, a senior Gantz aide said he saw a Moroccan market for Israeli counterinsurgency know-how.
“This is a deal that will enable us to help them with what they need from us, of course subject to our interests in the region,” the aide, Zohar Palti, told Israel's Kan broadcaster.
“Morocco has for years been battling terror on several fronts, and is a country that is struggling against Al-Qaeda and global jihadi groups.”
Rabat had no immediate comment on Wednesday’s agreement. Its Royal Armed Forces said the countries previously signed an memorandum on cyber co-operation and data security — the latter a possible preamble to purchases of high-end Israeli military technologies.
Israeli media have speculated about possible sales to Morocco of pilotless aircraft or missile defence systems.
The chief of Israel’s air force, Maj-Gen Amikam Norkin, declined to discuss any such specific prospects at a conference on Tuesday, saying only that he favoured “air power diplomacy” with Arab partners to help offset Iran's clout.
“I think that this (Gantz visit to Rabat) is an opportunity,” Norkin said, recalling how, at this month's Dubai Airshow, his Moroccan counterpart had come to introduce himself and “added a few sentences in Hebrew” when they conversed.
Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid travelled to Morocco in August for the first visit by Israel’s top diplomat to that country since 2003.
Reuters
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