Morocco and Israel Sign Defense Memorandum in Rabat


Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz attends a cabinet meeting.
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz attends a cabinet meeting at Chagall State Hall in the Knesset (Israeli parliament) in Jerusalem on May 24, 2020. (ABIR SULTAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Morocco and Israel signed a defense memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Rabat on Wednesday, opening the way for possible military sales and cooperation after the countries upgraded diplomatic ties last year.

A source briefed on the classified MoU said it does not stipulate specific defense deals, but rather provides a legal and regulatory framework for such agreements in the future.

In Rabat, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz signed the document along with Abdellatif Loudiyi, Morocco's defense administration minister, an Israeli defense spokesperson said.

"This is very significant, and it will allow us to exchange ideas, enter into joint projects and enable Israeli exports (to Morocco)" Gantz said in a video clip posted on his Twitter account after he met Loudiyi.

Morocco was one of four Arab countries - along with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan - to normalize relations with Israel last year under U.S.-engineered accords.

Departing for Rabat on Tuesday, Gantz told reporters he was embarking on "the first formal visit" by an Israeli defense minister to Morocco - implicit acknowledgment of discreet relations dating back decades.

In a statement, the Israeli defense spokesperson said the MoU would enable the two countries "to enjoy increased cooperation in the fields of intelligence, industrial collaboration, military training and more."

There was no immediate comment from Morocco on the document.

Bezhalel Machlis, CEO and president of Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems Ltd, told Reuters on Tuesday that his company saw Morocco as a potential market.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid traveled to Morocco in August for the first visit by Israel's top diplomat to that country since 2003.



Follow us on twitter (ajuede.com) or on Instagram (ajuedeman) for details of the global situation presently.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Dr. Vladimir Zelenko has now treated 699 coronavirus patients with 100% success

ORIGIN OF THE AKAN - Onyeji Nnaji

Taylor Swift: 'White supremacy is repulsive. There is nothing worse'

GARDEN OF EDEN FOUND IN WEST AFRICA - Onyeji Nnaji

TYPES OF PREPOSITION - Onyeji Nnaji

Tulsi Gabbard says impeachment of Trump would be 'terribly divisive' for country

Marine Charged for Facebook Comments Gets Hearing Date

THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF NSUKKA by Onyeji Nnaji

EGYPTIANS LAMBAST NIGERIAN FOOTBALLERS OVER ‘FREQUENT’ PROTESTS