Israeli Government Approves Maritime Transport Deal with Morocco
Doha – The Israeli government approved a bilateral maritime transport agreement with Morocco. The agreement is set to be implemented within 30 days, the Israeli Ministry of Transport and Road Safety announced in a statement on Thursday.
Originally signed in Rabat on May 29, 2023, its key purpose is to regulate and promote maritime transport between the two countries based on principles of free and fair competition, freedom of navigation, and cooperation.
Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev, who led the approval process, called the agreement 'a significant step in strengthening relations between Israel and Morocco.'
According to Regev, 'Opening maritime trade and transport routes between the countries will contribute to the economies of both nations and create new opportunities for cooperation.'
'We are committed to continuing to develop ties between our countries while removing barriers and promoting cooperation in all areas, especially in transportation and ports,' she added.
The comprehensive agreement regulates various aspects of maritime transport, including safety protocols, port access procedures, taxation policies, dispute resolution mechanisms, fees, and tariff structures.
It enables mutual recognition of vessel documents from both countries and guarantees equal treatment for vessels and shipping companies from Israel and Morocco.
Under the terms of the agreement, revenues generated by shipping companies from services provided in the territory of the other country can be used for making payments in that country or for transfer abroad, in accordance with foreign exchange laws and regulations in effect in each nation.
The agreement also establishes provisions for mutual assistance to vessels in distress and permits the establishment of shipping enterprise representations in either country.
An important component of the deal is the formation of a joint maritime committee that will supervise the implementation of the agreement and address issues related to maritime transport between the two nations.
Moshe Ben Zaken, Director General of Israel's Ministry of Transport and Road Safety, stressed that the agreement 'will create business certainty and allow freer movement of goods between the countries.'
'We view this agreement as an important component in developing trade relations and hope to expand cooperation to additional transportation sectors in the future,' he continued
Moroccan streets demand ties cut
The approval comes during a period of stagnation in relations between Rabat and Tel Aviv, particularly following the events of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israeli genocidal campaign in Gaza.
This development also follows a controversial visit by Regev to Morocco in February for the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech.
During that visit, delegations from Palestine, Turkey, Jordan, and Ireland walked out in protest during Regev's speech, though representatives from Gulf states, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, remained.
Before her February visit, Moroccan activists attempted to block Regev's entry into the country by filing a legal complaint in Rabat, accusing her of 'committing war crimes and genocide.' The Moroccan court rejected the petition, allowing her visit to proceed.
The road safety conference, which ran from February 18-20, brought together transport ministers and road safety experts from around the world under the theme 'Commit to Life.'
The maritime transport agreement was one of three transport-related agreements signed during Regev's previous visit to Morocco on May 29, 2023.
The other agreements included mutual recognition of driving licenses and facilitation of exchanges in road safety and transport innovation.
Morocco re-established diplomatic relations with Israel in December 2020. Before the Gaza genocide, Moroccan and Israeli officials had signed dozens of agreements in education, trade, and defense.
Bilateral trade between Tel Aviv and Rabat increased by one-third in 2022, with approximately 200,000 Israelis visiting Morocco that year. Nearly 700,000 Israelis are of Moroccan origin, with many maintaining close ties to the country.
The Israeli Occupation Forces' (IOF) actions in Gaza have faced public opposition in Morocco, where pro-Palestinian protests have been held almost weekly.
These demonstrations have consistently called for cutting diplomatic ties with Israel and ending 'normalization.' Despite scaling back official visits from Israeli officials, Morocco has not suspended diplomatic relations with the Hebrew state.
Read also: Israeli Media: Flights Will Not Resume Despite Transport Minister's Morocco Visit
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