The Jerusalem Post - Israel News

Israel, Morocco Deepen Defense Cooperation as Def. Min. Director-General Baram Visits Rabat – The Jerusalem Post

by

Israel and Morocco are steadily expanding their military and industrial partnership, culminating in a high-level diplomatic visit to Rabat this week by a senior Israeli defense official.

Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, director-general of the Israel Ministry of Defense, traveled to Morocco on behalf of Defense Minister Israel Katz to meet with top security and intelligence leadership. The diplomatic push deepens bilateral security ties that have evolved rapidly over the past several years.

During the trip, Baram held formal consultations with Morocco’s minister delegate in charge of the National Defense Administration, the inspector-general of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), and senior representatives from the Royal Palace and intelligence services. The meetings underscore an institutional commitment to bolstering military coordination that persisted through three years of war.

Security cooperation between the two nations has accelerated steadily since diplomatic relations were renewed in 2020, followed by a formal defense Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2021. Beyond traditional military exchanges and joint training exercises involving the Israel Defense Forces and the FAR, the partnership now includes significant industrial collaboration.

Israeli defense companies are actively supporting the establishment of an independent domestic defense industry within Morocco through targeted joint ventures and offset agreements. Most major defense transactions between the two nations are conducted through government-to-government agreements managed directly by the Israeli Defense Ministry.

A central milestone of Baram’s current itinerary involves inaugurating the permanent premises of the Defense Attaché Office in Rabat. The office will be led by Col. Sharon Itach, who serves as Israel’s first permanent defense attaché to Morocco.

Israeli defense delegation in Morocco
Photo: Israel National News

The Ministry of Defense stated that the visit directly aligns with its broader strategic objectives to secure partnerships with friendly nations, expand defense exports, support force buildup for the IDF, and bolster the domestic Israeli economy.

Morocco is not just another defense partner. It is much more than that. Over the years, we have built a strong relationship founded on trust, mutual respect, Jewish heritage, and deep historical ties between our peoples. We intend to continue advancing the relationship between our countries to new heights. — Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram

Moroccan officials have demonstrated sustained interest in Israeli defense products through formal delegation meetings held both in Rabat and within Israel.

More on Israel: Israel President Tasks Gadi Eisenkot to Form New Government Amid Netanyahu Deadlock

More on Morocco

More on this

Read next