Israeli Knesset President Makes Historic First Visit to Morocco

"This is considered an important and innovative visit, as it is the first official bilateral visit invitation ever extended to an Israeli Knesset Speaker by a Speaker of Parliament of a Muslim country in general and a Moroccan Parliament Speaker in particular," the Knesset said in a statement.

During this visit, Amir Ohana, of Moroccan origin, is expected to meet with high-ranking political figures, as well as leaders of the local Jewish community. Highlighting the importance of this trip, Ohana said that "the dream of peace with the lands of Islam has always been in our hearts." He also expressed his hope that this visit will contribute to "the history in the making before our eyes," announcing a strengthening of relations between Israel and Morocco, a rapprochement between the peoples and the extension of the circle of peace.

This trip comes in a particular context, marked by the warming of diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco. After an interruption in 2000 due to the second Palestinian Intifada, the two countries resumed their diplomatic exchanges in December 2020.

Morocco became the fourth Arab country to normalize its relations with Israel in 2020 after the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan.