Morocco-Israel Ties Aim to Boost Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process, Says Former Minister

"If Morocco resumes its relations with Israel, it is to accelerate the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians," he said on i24NEWS, recalling that relations with the Hebrew state are not new. "Hassan II had special relations with Shimon Peres," said the former diplomat, noting that King Mohammed VI is only following tradition. "This policy is based on a culture of tolerance and peace," he stressed.

The former Moroccan ambassador to France also hammered home that Israel must not think it has won the game because it has established relations with the Emirates and Bahrain. "Israel must not let it believe that it is taking advantage of divisions (...) in the Arab world to strengthen its situation," he warned.

Mr. Berrada believes that the time has come for Israelis and Palestinians to sit down at the negotiating table for a lasting peace, because it is long-term peace that is important. "As long as the Palestinian issue has not been resolved, peace [will not come] tomorrow," he is convinced.