The ongoing Gaza conflict has not diminished Morocco’s ties with Israel; rather, it has intensified military cooperation, including significant arms purchases. Morocco’s historical relations with Israel and strategic goals regarding Western Sahara underscore its commitment despite domestic protests against normalization. Public sentiment shows a decline in support for these ties, raising questions about future diplomatic interactions and Morocco’s international role in Gaza-related initiatives.
Morocco’s relations with Israel have notably strengthened despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as stated by Youssef Amrani, Morocco’s ambassador to the United States. In contrast to some Arab nations, like Saudi Arabia, Morocco has expressed a commitment to deepening its partnership with Israel, which includes military purchases and enhanced cooperation.
In early February, Morocco announced a significant procurement of 36 Atmos 2000 self-propelled artillery systems from Israel’s Elbit Systems, indicating a shift away from traditional suppliers like France. Moreover, Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces have entered into contracts with Israeli firms, replacing previously expected European innovations with Israeli technologies, notably in satellite advancements.
Morocco’s arms acquisition from Israel has included various sophisticated systems, such as Heron drones and Barak MX systems, making Israel the third-largest arms supplier to Morocco by 2023, approaching France’s standing. This trend aligns with Morocco’s private historical ties with Israel, retroactively enhanced by the formal re-establishment of relations through the Abraham Accords in December 2020.
Despite these developments, Morocco has faced substantial public opposition against normalization with Israel, marked by frequent pro-Palestinian protests organized by local groups. Citizens have expressed dissatisfaction, with polls revealing a diminishing support level for normalization, evidenced by widespread participation in recent demonstrations across major urban centers.
Simultaneously, the Moroccan authorities have maintained a level of tolerance towards protests, while also engaging in actions perceived as favoring Israel, such as facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza. The intricacies of Morocco’s diplomatic approach reflect a balance between maintaining international military partnerships and responding to domestic public sentiment surrounding Palestinian rights.
Morocco’s partnership with Israel also aligns with a broader strategic objective to secure recognition of its territorial claims in Western Sahara, leveraging relationships with both Israel and the United States. The kingdom’s ties could play a proactive role in future peacekeeping discussions related to the Gaza conflict, as suggested by the Biden administration’s discussions on creating an Arab peacekeeping force.
In conclusion, Morocco’s relationship with Israel has strengthened markedly, countering the general trend among Arab states in response to the Gaza conflict. Despite growing domestic opposition to normalization, Morocco’s strategic military and diplomatic maneuvers reflect its desire to fortify its territorial claims while maintaining international partnerships. This complex dynamic highlights the balancing act that Morocco is executing amid public dissent and geopolitical aspirations.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
