Israeli Media: Flights Will Not Resume Despite Transport Minister's Morocco Visit
Doha – A senior Israeli security official has dismissed reports about the imminent resumption of direct flights between Israel and Morocco, despite recent announcements following Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev's controversial visit to the North African country.
According to Israeli media, while the Israeli Ministry of Transportation proclaimed that flights would resume in April after Ramadan, a high-ranking security source revealed to Mako news that current conditions make this timeline unrealistic.
'We will not take risks regarding the lives of Israelis,' the official claimed, citing what he called 'anti-Israel' demonstrations across Morocco.
Israel's National Security Council (NSC) currently classifies Morocco as a medium-threat country, asserting that 'terrorist elements may attempt to target Israelis in Morocco' as a result of Israel's genocide on Gaza. The NSC recommends avoiding non-essential travel to the North African country.
This assessment comes despite Morocco upholding a far stronger safety pedigree than Israel itself. While Israel grapples with ongoing security threats, Morocco has maintained an impeccable history of safeguarding its Jewish community and Israeli visitors.
In fact, the country has not seen a single terrorist attack since the 2011 Marrakesh bombing — something Israel, with its frequent security incidents, can hardly claim.
'I don't think the Jews here have something to fear'
Just earlier this month, hundreds of Jews from around the world, including Israel, safely participated in the Hilloula of Rabbi Isaac Abuhatzeira in Midelt, with the event proceeding without incident.
Andre Levy, a Moroccan-Israeli cultural anthropologist and associate professor at Ben-Gurion University currently based in Rabat, articulated a different perspective in an interview with Morocco World News last October.
'I don't think that the Jews here have something to fear,' he stated. 'The Jews here, they have their neighbors, they have their friends, their Muslims, and I don't think that something will happen.'
Notwithstanding, the security source clarified that flights cannot resume while Morocco remains under a Level 3 travel warning. 'If the demonstrations and incitement cease, we can consider lowering the travel advisory for the country, but in the current situation, this won't happen,' the official insisted.
A controversial visit
The blatant inconsistency within the Israeli administration surfaced following Regev's recent visit to Morocco for the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech, where she met with her Moroccan counterpart and senior government officials to discuss bilateral transport cooperation.
During her visit, several delegations, including those from Palestine, Turkiye Jordan, and Ireland, walked out in protest as she was giving a speech, while Gulf state representatives remained present.
The visit itself sparked controversy, with Israeli newspaper Globes disclosing that the trip's costs exceeded half a million shekels ($140,000), including accommodation at luxury hotels with suites priced between €1,200-3,700 per night. Regev's office defended the expenses, contending that Morocco covered the hospitality package.
Prior to October 2023, several carriers operated direct flights between the two countries, including Royal Air Maroc, El Al, Israir, and Arkia, connecting Tel Aviv with Marrakech and Casablanca.
Israel's transportation ministry projected that Royal Air Maroc might be the first to resume operations, though no specific timeline was provided.
The ministry's announcement came amid growing tension, as protesters in Marrakech staged large demonstrations during Regev's visit, with hundreds gathering at a central location, burning and trampling Israeli flags.
Demonstrators also voiced criticism against the Jewish community leader in Marrakech, Jackie Kadosh.
Historically, Morocco has been a popular destination for Israeli tourists. Before the current suspension, approximately 70,000 Israelis visited Morocco in 2022, with the number for 2023 climbing toward 200,000 before the outbreak of the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Israeli travelers currently seeking to visit Morocco must rely on connecting flights, with options like Aegean Airlines offering routes through Athens starting at $350 round trip.
El Al, Israel's national carrier, announced earlier last year that it would not resume its direct flights to Morocco for the now-passed summer 2024 season, attributing the decision to changes in customer demands since October 2023.
The airline previously operated around five weekly flights between the two countries following the renewal of diplomatic relations in late 2020.
Read also: Israeli Brand Seeks Presence in Morocco Amid Calls to End Ties with Israel
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