Jerusalem — Two Israeli airlines launched their first commercial flights between Israel and Morocco on Sunday, less than a yr after the nations officially normalized relations.
Israir’s flight departed Tel Aviv for Marrakech with around 100 Israeli tourists, the company stated, hours earlier than Israeli national carrier El Al dispatched its first direct flight to the same destination.
Israeli Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov stated the new direct flights would “assist advance fruitful tourism, trade and financial cooperation and diplomatic agreements between the 2 nations.”
Israel and Morocco agreed to normalize relations in late 2020 as a part of the U.S.-brokered “Abraham Accords.” Morocco was among 4 Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
As part of the deal, the US agreed to recognize Morocco’s claim to the long-disputed Western Sahara area, however, the Biden administration stated it will review this decision. Morocco’s 1975 annexation of Western Sahara shouldn’t be recognized by the United Nations.
Many Israeli Jews have a lineage that traces again to Morocco, which continues to be home to a small Jewish community of several thousand.
El Al stated in a press release before the departure of its first flight that the company plans to operate 5 flights per week between Israel and Morocco.
“We hope that now many can know Morocco better, to experience and be excited by this special nation that is deeply rooted in Israeli heritage, culture and experience,” stated El Al CEO Avigal Sorek.
After the first flight arrived in Marrakech, the director of the Moroccan national tourism office, Adil Fakir, called it “a crowning moment of the important decision taken by Morocco to renew relations between the 2 nations.”
The head of the Israeli liaison office in Rabat, David Govrin, stated it would “strengthen the existing ties between our two individuals.” The head of the Jewish community within the Marrakech-Safi region, Jacky Kadoch, also welcomed the development.
