Israeli Ambassador to Morocco Recalled Amid Sexual Harassment Allegations

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Israel has recalled its ambassador David Govrin from Morocco, reports the French-speaking Jewish website Jforum.fr. The Israeli diplomat was investigating allegations of sexual harassment and other irregularities at the liaison office in Rabat.

Morocco normalized its diplomatic relations with the Hebrew state in December 2020 in exchange for the American recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara. Since then, the two parties have been working to warm up their relations. Israel has reopened its representation in Morocco 20 years after its closure. For its part, Morocco is considering transforming its liaison office in Tel Aviv into an embassy.

Remains to be seen whether the harassment suffered by Moroccan women at the hands of Israeli diplomats will have a negative impact on relations between the two countries.