Morocco strengthens ties with Israel through tourism and defense

Morocco is experiencing a significant strengthening of diplomatic, military, and tourism ties with Israel. Following the normalization of relations under the Abraham Accords, direct flights between Israel and Morocco have resumed. Arkia has relaunched the Ben Gurion to Marrakech route, with other airlines like Israir and Sun D’Or expected to follow. This resumption of air travel aims to tap into the high demand for Moroccan tourism among Israelis, which previously saw 200,000 annual visitors.

In the defense sector, the Marrakech Aeronautics Exhibition highlighted substantial Israeli military presence. Israeli defense companies showcased advanced technologies, including the Barak MX ER missile system, signaling deeper strategic collaboration in defense and technology.

Simultaneously, Morocco continues to modernize its military through significant acquisitions from the United States. A $524 million deal with Lockheed Martin includes 18 HIMARS launchers and various guided rocket systems, enhancing the nation's deep-strike capabilities. Since 2016, Morocco's total American arms contracts have reached approximately $12.7 billion.

On the tourism front, new flight connections are expanding to Moroccan coastal cities like Agadir, with airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air introducing routes from Bratislava.