Why all the turmoil and shock these days, by Moroccans and non-Moroccans alike, regarding the signing of the Moroccan-Israel agreement, which allows diplomatic relations to resume after 20 years? Well then, let’s look back at the excellent diplomatic relations over the years, as well as the two-way interests that have existed over time between the two countries. And in case any doubts remain, I would like to clarify that Morocco is a multicultural country, consisting of the combination of Arab-Islamists, Berber [amazighe] and Sahara-Hassanic [saharo-hassanie], based on African, Andalusian, Jewish and Mediterranean influences!

Moroccan Jews are descended from Andalusian Jews and Berber Jews (its indigenous population) who, with the voluntary immigration of 1952, after the establishment of the State of Israel, now number a population of over 900,000 (Moroccan-Israelis), and constitute the largest community in Israel.

Morocco recognized Israel as an independent country in 1994 and served as a two-way diplomatic presence for eight years in Rabat and Tel Aviv, until the end of these diplomatic relations in the early 2000s. Israelis of Moroccan descent have always had the right to visit and move freely to and from Israel, usually via Italian airlines.

So what do these developments signify?

Morocco decided to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, taking advantage of Israel’s establishment of normal diplomatic relations with three Arab countries (Emirates, Bahrain and Oman), which have always acted as a lever pressuring Morocco against the normalization of relations with Israel. Although the King of Morocco was and remains the chairman of the Jerusalem Committee and bears the title of Prince of the Faithful, no one can predict what is to happen from now on, though, surely, the restoration of diplomatic relations is an inevitable event.