Newly appointed ambassador says Moroccan Jewish community played role in resuming ties with Jerusalem.
Ambassador David Govrin told i24NEWS on Sunday he was “very excited and honored” to step into the role of Head of Israel’s Liaison Office in Rabat, Morocco, after position was vacant for more than two decades.
On December 10, 2020, Israel and Morocco announced they would reestablish their diplomatic relations after Rabat cut its ties with the Jewish state in 2000 due to the eruption of the deadly Second Intifada.
Despite the move, the two countries maintained informal relations with estimated 50,000 Israelis traveling to the north African state annually.
Govrin spoke of Morocco’s vibrant Jewish community, saying he has met with its representatives in Rabat and Casablanca “who were very happy to receive us. We discussed Jewish life here in Morocco, they raised a few concerns, [as] unfortunately, a relatively great number of Jewish community members were affected by the coronavirus epidemic.”
The ambassador disclosed the Jewish community’s “significant” role in resuming Morocco’s ties with Jerusalem by bridging between the sides.
Govrin also mentioned the criticism of the deal, as not all Moroccans supported the move — “mainly in Islamist circles — but I believe that in the course of time, all segments of Moroccan society will realize that this is for their benefit as well as ours.”
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