Introduction
Israel and Morocco keep cooperation in agriculture, tourism and security. In 2020 the two countries signed a normalization deal. Security cooperation between Morocco and Israel involves the exchange of intelligence information, the trade of weapons and cyber technologies and joint meeting and exercises. Since 2013, the Moroccan Air Force has acquired Heron drones, Barak missiles and Harop Loitering Munitions. Morocco has purchased military equipment from Israel worth $1.2 billion between 2020-2022. Moroccan authorities used the Israeli Pegasus spyware from the company NSO Group for unlawful targeting of activists, human rights defenders and journalists between 2017-2020.
Israel – Morocco Relations
Between 1994-2000, the two countries operated cooperation offices in Tel Aviv and Rabat, but Morocco stopped all official ties in October 2000.[1]Ministry of Finance: The halt of relations has mainly damaged Morocco, Ynet, 24.10.2000 In December 2020 the US announced that Israel and Morocco have agreed to establish diplomatic relations. Israel and Morocco plan to reopen economic liaison offices.[2]Morocco, Israel normalize ties as US recognizes Western Sahara In addition, US President Donald Trump announced that he signed a proclamation recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara, a disputed territory.[3]Morocco, Israel normalize ties as US recognizes Western Sahara
Both countries kept cooperation in matters like tourism, agriculture, culture and academy. Many Israeli companies that were still active in Morocco after the year 2000, are not listed as Israeli companies there.[4]Ministry of Finance: The halt of relations has mainly damaged Morocco, Ynet, 24.10.2000 Morocco’s trade with Israel totaled $58m in 2016 and $37m in 2017 according to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics.[5]Morocco’s Trade with Israel Totaled $37 Million in 2017 In 2018, Israel imported $68m in Moroccan goods and exported $5m.[6]What does Israel stand to gain from relations with Morocco? – analysis
A few meetings, both open and secret, between senior Moroccan and Israeli officials took place since the year 2000. In 2003, Israel’s foreign minister Silvan Shalom visited Morocco. In 2009, the Israeli and Moroccan foreign ministers secretly met in New York. News agencies reported that in February 2019 Israel’s premier minister Benyamin Netanyahu had a secret meeting with Morocco’s minister of foreign affairs, Nasser Borita, in New York.[7]TV report: Netanyahu held secret talks with Morocco foreign minister in New York
In August 2021 Israel’s Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, made a visit to Morocco and met with his Moroccan counterpart.[8]Lapid touches down in Morocco to kick off historic visit
In March 2022 Israel hosted the foreign ministers of the USA, UAE, Bahrain and Morocco for a summit.[9]Israel to host foreign ministers of US, UAE, Morocco and Bahrain in historic summit
Military Relations
Most of the security cooperation between Morocco and Israel was conducted secretly and therefore it is impossible to outline the scale and character of military cooperation. According to public foreign sources, security cooperation between the two countries mostly involves the exchange of intelligence information and the trade of weapons.
Morocco has purchased military equipment from Israel worth $1.2 billion between 2020-2022.[10]Report: Israel seeks to increase arms sales to Arab countries
2014: A report by the British Department for Business, Innovation and Skills claims that Israel sold electronic warfare, communication, and control systems to Morocco through a third party.[11]Morocco and Israel : Cooperation Rooted in Heritage [12]The suprising collaborations of the Israeli Army
2013: The Moroccan Air Force acquires three Heron drones for $50m from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
January 2020: The Heron drones were transferred from Israel through France, and according to reports, are to be deployed in the Western Sahara, reports say.[13]Morocco’s military said to receive 3 Israeli reconnaissance drones
March 2020: Israeli officials attended an anti-terrorism conference in Morocco.[14]In further sign of detente, Israel attends anti-terrorism conference in Morocco
November 2021: During an official visit to Morocco, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz signs a security cooperation agreement (MoU) with his Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Loudiyi, which includes a commitment to signing and promoting weapons deals. It is the first time that Israeli military soldiers in uniform visit Morocco. Three Israeli army officers from the minister’s office participate in the delegation.[15]In Morocco, Gantz signs Israel’s first-ever defense MOU with an Arab country
November 2021: Morocco buys IAI’s Harop suicide drones (Loitering Munition) in a $22m arms deal.[16]Israel Aerospace Industries Got $22m From Morocco, Reportedly for Kamikaze Drones
21 November 2021: The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces purchase Skylock Dome Anti-Drone Air Defence System, that is designed and developed by the Israeli company Skylock Systems, a subsidiary of the Avnon Group.[17]Morocco Purchases Israel’s Skylock Dome System [18]Morocco Purchases Israel’s Skylock Dome System
December 2021: It is reported that Morocco and Israel are preparing to build two drone factories in the Al-Aoula region in Morocco. Moroccan and Israeli official sources told “Shepard Media” that the joint project was made with the Israeli drone company BlueBird Aero Systems.[19]Morocco, Israel to build 2 drone factories
January 2022: It is reported that during 2021, Morocco purchased 150 mini drones (UAS WanderB-VTOL and ThunderB-VTOL) from the Israeli company BlueBird Aero Systems, now owned by Israeli Aerospace Industries.[20]Morocco bought 150 mini UAS WanderB-VTOL and the ThunderB-VTOL from Israel’s BlueBird Aero Systems
March 2022: An MoU in the aeronautics sector is signed between the Minister of Industry and Trade of Morocco and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of IAI.[21]Historic aeronautics MoU signed between Israel and Morocco IAI sells the Barak-8 surface-to-air missile system to Morocco, a deal valued at $560 million.[22]Israeli defense exports reach record high of $11.3 billion in 2021 [23]IAI agrees $500m missile defense systems deal with Morocco
July 2022: Israel’s army chief makes a first ever official visit to Morocco and met with the Inspector General of Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces.[24]Morocco, Israel continue to strengthen military ties with army chief visit to Rabat
2023: According to leaked Pentagon documents, Morocco received first shipment of the Barak-MX defense system acquired in 2022. [25]Oussama Aamari, Morocco Receives First Shipments of Israel’s Barak MX Defense System, Morocco World News, 11.8.2023
2024: A new Bluebird drone production facility, which has been established in Morocco, is expected to start operations soon.[26]Israel’s BlueBird to Establish Drone Manufacturing in Morocco, Army Recognition, 19.4.24
Joint Drills
July 2021: Morocco’s special commando forces participate in an international counter-terrorism exercise in Israel.[27]Moroccan Army Aircraft landed in Israel for international drill
2022: Israel participates in an international military exercise in Morocco, named “African Lion 2022”, led by the U.S Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR).[28]Israel participates in int’l military exercise in Morocco
September 2022: A Moroccan delegation participates in an international military conference in Israel. The delegation was led by the Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces.[29]Morocco confirms participation in military conference in Israel
Cyber-Security
October 2019: Amnesty International reports that Moroccan human right defenders were targeted with Spyware of the Israeli company NSO Group since 2017.[30]Morocco: Human Rights Defenders Targeted with NSO Group’s Spyware [31]HACKED: THE STORY BEHIND THE ISRAELI SPYWARE TARGETING MOROCCAN JOURNALISTS
2019: Cellebrite participates in the World Border Security Congress in Casablanca, Morocco.[32]Cellebrite: World Border Security Congress, Casablanca, Morocco During a pitch at the conference, a Cellebrite official confirms the investigation of migrants and refugees with Cellebrite’s technology.[33]Surveillance Company Cellebrite Finds a New Exploit: Spying on Asylum Seekers
July 2022: Israel signs a cyber-security agreement with Morocco. The agreement between Israel’s National Cyber Directorate and Morocco’s General Directorate of Information Systems Security.[34]Israel signs cybersecurity agreement with Morocco
Usage of Israeli Arms
EL/M-2032 – In use on F-5E combat jets by the Royal Moroccan Air Force
Heron – In use by Royal Moroccan Air Force. will be used in the Western Sahara for surveillance of terrorist activity by separatist groups.
Tavor Assault Rifles – Moroccan Police was documented during a march with Tavor X95 rifles.[35]TAVOR chez la police marocaine, des preuves et des explications/
Pegasus – According to Amnesty International, Moroccan authorities used the Israeli Pegasus spyware from the company NSO Group for unlawful targeting of activists, human rights defenders and journalists like Omar Radi, Maati Monjib and Abdessadak El Bouchattaoui between 2017-2020.[36]Morocco: Human Rights Defenders Targeted with NSO Group’s Spyware [37]HACKED: THE STORY BEHIND THE ISRAELI SPYWARE TARGETING MOROCCAN JOURNALISTS
According to an investigation by Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International, published in July 2021, at least 35 journalists in four countries were selected as targets by an NSO client that appears to be the Moroccan government, based on the consortium’s analysis of the leaked data. Many of the Moroccan journalists selected as targets have been at some point arrested, defamed or targeted in some way by intelligence services. Others who were selected as targets – including most notably newspaper editors Taoufik Bouachrine and Soulaimane Raissouni – are currently in prison on charges that human rights defense organizations contend were instrumentalized in an effort to shut down independent journalism in Morocco.[38]PEGASUS: THE NEW GLOBAL WEAPON FOR SILENCING JOURNALISTS
Human Rights Violations
According to Amnesty International, in 2019, Moroccan authorities harassed journalists, bloggers, artists and activists for expressing their views peacefully, sentencing at least five to prison terms for “insulting” public officials and apparently targeting others with spyware. They restricted the rights to freedom of association and assembly by preventing some groups critical of the authorities from operating and by using unnecessary or excessive force to disperse demonstrations in Morocco and Western Sahara. Following an unfair trial, a court upheld prison sentences of up to 20 years against 43 people convicted in relation to social justice protests in 2017 in the northern Rif region.[39]MOROCCO AND WESTERN SAHARA 2021
Security forces arrested and detained thousands of migrants, forcibly transferring some to the south of Morocco and others to other countries. They forcibly transferred over 11,000 to the south of the country and expelled over 1,000 to their countries of origin, allegedly without following due process in many cases.[40]MOROCCO AND WESTERN SAHARA 2021
Women continued to face discrimination, including sexual and other gender-based violence, and prison sentences were issued in relation to alleged illegal abortions. Police continued to harass lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) people; same-sex sexual relations between consenting adults remained a criminal offence. [41]MOROCCO AND WESTERN SAHARA 2021
Western Sahara:
Moroccan forces and the Polisario Front, an armed group demanding independence for Western Sahara, have been fighting over the disputed territory – a vast area bordering Morocco, Mauritania and Algeria that was previously under Spanish control – for decades.[42]Western Sahara conflict in 500 words It is claimed by Morocco, despite international opposition and fierce resistance from the indigenous population. Years of military affront between Morocco and the Polisario followed, leading to Morocco controlling 80% of the territory until the United Nations (UN) intervened. The conflict pushed most Sahrawis to seek refuge in Algeria, near the town of Tindouf, where they settled in camps organised by the Polisario and partly funded by the UN. About 180,000 people still live there to this day.[43]Off the Radar Human Rights in the Tindouf Refugee Camps [44]War brews in Western Sahara as Trump strikes Morocco-Israel deal In the parts of the territory controlled by Rabat, Sahrawis face systematic repression by the authorities. Demonstrations supporting Western Sahara’s self-determination are not permitted.[45]Morocco/Western Sahara Events of 2018 [46]Morocco and Western Sahara: a decades-long war of attrition
Beside of that, the Western Sahara, with a population estimated at 350,000 to 500,000, is believed to have considerable offshore oil deposits and mineral resources.[47]First Israel-Morocco flight arrives in Rabat to seal normalization deal
In 2010 Moroccan forces raided the Gadaym Izik camp, using live ammunition, tear gas and water cannons. 20 Saharawi were killed, with around 4,500 injured and 150 missing.[48]Spain presses Morocco over Western Sahara deaths
Fighting resumed in November 2020 after the end of a 30-year ceasefire. Polisario said it was returning to war because Morocco had breached a 1991 ceasefire agreement by sending forces into a demilitarized buffer strip. The purpose of the Morocco incursion was to clear Sahrawi protesters blocking a key highway for trade to sub-Saharan Africa.[49]War brews in Western Sahara as Trump strikes Morocco-Israel deal