Israeli Interest in Gantz's visit to Morocco
Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz's visit to Morocco is heavily covered by Israeli media, which described it as it as "historic and strategic."
Last Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz completed a "historic" and "successful" visit to Morocco, according to Israeli assessments. The visit was a first of its kind for the Israeli Minister of Security, during which a security memorandum of understanding was signed.
The visit, which lasted for two days (Wednesday and Thursday), was the subject of Israeli media attention, and given its importance on the political and security levels, it was distinguished, according to the Israeli media, by "the and warmth of the official [Moroccan] reception of the Israeli guest."
The visit received wide media coverage in Moroccan media, which published articles written by "Gantz" in several newspapers, in which he discussed "the importance and fruits of political and security cooperation between the two parties."
Historic security agreement
On Wednesday, "Israel" and Morocco signed a "historic security agreement": a memorandum of understanding for cooperation that would strengthen Israeli-Moroccan relations. The agreement was signed by Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz and his Moroccan counterpart Abdellatif Loudiyi. According to Israeli reports, Gantz, who arrived in Rabat on Wednesday, received a high-level reception at the airport.
Gantz said during the visit: “We have just signed a defense cooperation MOU with Morocco. It is a very significant development, which will enable us to work on joint projects and promote industrial cooperation,” adding that “relations between 'Israel' and Morocco should be expanded and enhanced.”
He also stressed the significance of further bilateral cooperation in light of emerging "challenges in the Middle East and North Africa" during his meeting with his counterpart, and voiced hope that more countries would sign normalization agreements with "Israel."
Israel’s Security Ministry said that the agreement is a significant step in the deepening of relations between "Israel" and the Kingdom of Morocco," according to the "Jerusalem Post."
The head of the Israeli Security Ministry’s Political-Military Bureau, Zohar Palti, said "The agreement that we signed will allow us to cooperate, with exercises, with information — this is an agreement that will allow us to assist them with whatever they need from us, in accordance — of course — with our own interests. We have a strategic alliance of knowledge [With Morocco],” according to "The Times of Israel."
The Algerian position
According to a top Algerian official, Gantz's visit to neighboring Morocco, with which Algeria has severed diplomatic ties, targeted Algeria.
Gantz's visit to Morocco this week coincides with escalating tensions between Rabat and Algiers over the Western Sahara.
Salah Goudjil,the Vice President of Algeria's Upper House, said that the enemies are mobilizing to undermine Algeria, which was “targeted” by the visit.
The agreement would make it simpler for Rabat to obtain hi-tech products from "Israel," and it is the latest step in the two countries' normalization of relations, which began last year.
Israeli pundits pointed out that the motive behind the Moroccan promotion of the agreement is to increase tension with neighboring Algeria, which has the largest army in the Maghreb region. In that regard, Rabat is afraid to find itself in an inferior position, and is attempting to make up for this gap.
The Moroccans are also contending with another threat, that of the Polisario Front, which they claimed in 2018 to be supported by Hezbollah before severing relations with Iran; the claim was refuted by Algeria.
Arms deals are nothing new
Several media reports dealt in some detail with the Israeli-Moroccan arms deals, even those made before Gantz's last visit.
Reports indicated that the Moroccan army is currently using 3 Heron unmanned aircraft produced by the Israeli Aerospace Industries, which were purchased through a French company to remove any connection with "Israel," as reported by "The Jerusalem Post."
Morocco is also using smaller size drones that they bought from the Israeli firm BlueBird. Two months ago, Moroccan security forces received unmanned patrol vehicles manufactured by the Israeli company Robotim, which is partly owned by Elbit. Morocco has also recently purchased anti-drone systems made by Skylock, from "Israel's" Avnon group.
Morocco in mainly interested in air defense systems, such as the Barak 8, which was sold to India. Moroccans are also interested in suicide drones and loitering munitions such as the Harop, which are manufactured by several Israeli companies.