The Israeli delegation to Morocco, led by National Security Council (NSC) head Meir Ben-Shabbat, returned to Israel this week after a joint declaration was signed on the establishment of relations between Israel and Morocco.

The concluding meeting of the visit was held at midnight on the last night with the participation of NSC head Ben-Shabbat, US Senior Presidential Adviser Jared Kushner, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Moroccan King Mohammed VI’s adviser Fouad Ali El Himma.

During the visit, NSC head Ben-Shabbat met with Moroccan King Mohammed VI, whom he invited – on behalf of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – to visit Israel. He also met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Bourita and Moroccan royal adviser El Himma.

Four bilateral cooperation agreements and Memorandums of Understanding were signed on civil aviation, visa exemption for official passport holders, and water and investment protections. It was also agreed that an official Moroccan mission would open in Israel within approximately two weeks.

 NSC head Ben-Shabbat upon the delegation’s landing back home in Israel:

“I thank Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the privilege of heading the Israeli delegation to Morocco. We returned this morning from a highly successful visit to Rabat that took place less than two weeks after the announcement of the establishment of relations between the two countries. An official Moroccan mission will open in Tel Aviv within approximately two weeks and we have already signed preliminary agreements that will begin to add tangible content to the bilateral cooperation. Relations with Morocco are advancing quickly, and they will be full, deep, tight, warm and very friendly.”

More than a million Moroccan Jews lives in Israel today making up the second largest Jewish community in the Land. There is great respect and camaraderie between Moroccan Jews and the Kingdom of Morocco. Every year rabbis and community leaders are invited to attend the Throne Celebration in Rabat on July 30^th commemorating the ascension of the Moroccan King.

There is palpable excitement across the Land now that Israelis can visit Morocco, and not only among the Moroccan Jews but for Israelis of every background who hold Moroccan Jews and their culture close to their hearts. Israelis are already saying that the moment Ben Gurion Airport is open for flights to Morocco, they will be flocking to visit the exotic kingdom.