The normalization of Israel-Morocco ties may not be officially part of the Abraham Accords but in reality, there is no substantial difference in details in comparison to the other agreements. The mutual relations were renewed in the same breath and form part of the same window of opportunity that opened in September 2020. Through a series of economic-academic areas, it's especially interesting to examine the cultural-sociological aspect that directly influences the life of the Jewish community in the kingdom located in northwest Africa, as well as Israelis' relationship with the country.
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One of the most fascinating things that stands out recently is the level of interest and desire that the Moroccan Muslims are showing in learning Hebrew. "We are receiving many inquiries about Hebrew courses from private individuals who want to know the language, simply because Moroccans love languages and are known as speakers of many languages," says Einat Levi, political and economic adviser in the Israel consulate in the capital Rabat.
Levi clarifies that "business owners and service providers are also interested in learning Hebrew, out of an understanding that there is an economic opportunity for them here." This issue is also accompanied by a significant visual factor: the Hebrew language is seen more and more in the alleyways of the markets and the old cities – this time not because of an initiative on the part of the king or the government, but by the residents and business owners who are excited about the return of Israeli tourism to Morocco, against the background of the renewal of relations between the countries.
In Malach, a neighborhood of the port city of Essaouira, one of two areas that the city's Jews lived in the past and in which there was full Jewish life, today the sign for the pharmacy is also displayed in Hebrew. Levi: "The Hebrew sign is a symbol of cultural renewal, evidence of the close connection between culture and tourism, and more than that – it has traces of belonging."
Levi, a researcher and entrepreneur who has spent the last decade moving between Israel and Morocco, adds with excitement that "after years of constant movement between the countries, the establishment of virtual communities for Moroccan Jews according to their city of origin, and the power of tremendous longing, I am beginning to understand that now I have an opportunity to be part of a community of Moroccan Jews who still live there. It's a big thing, really big."
Today between 1,500 and 2,000 Jews live in Morocco – around 1,200 in Casablanca, 120 in Marrakesh, 60 in Fez, and dozens more in Meknes and Agadir. Sources in the community talk about "increasing interest from Israelis who want to move permanently to Morocco for business reasons, as well as pensioners who are interested in moving to the country because of the cheap cost of living."
The fairly optimistic tourism forecasts about hundreds of thousands of Israeli tourists visiting Morocco annually, as well as the expectation of Moroccan tourists visiting Israel, are already being translated into practical action: Rahat is planning Hebrew courses for local tour guides, and in parallel is opening a new track for a master's degree at the International Institute of Tourism in Tangier, which will combine Hebrew studies with classes about Jewish heritage sites in Morocco and about Israeli and Jewish tourists.
Another interesting development that took place this year is the marking in Israel – for the first time – of the annual Throne Day for King Mohammed VI, which took place in July. Yokneam, Netanya, Dimona and other cities marked the event officially, making it another opportunity to celebrate the renewal of official ties.
Fundamentally, a political connection has been opened up between Israel and Morocco, which, despite being connected culturally, were still relatively disconnected politically and economically. It's true that Israelis faced no obstacles while traveling in Morocco, and most of the time were welcomed warmly, but the impression is that at official events – at festivals, in academia and more – there was a challenge, in light of the fear that an Israeli presence would attract public criticism from the boycott movements.
"Now the situation is different," is Levi's analysis. "There is a clear and strong official connection, and this makes open and public Israeli activities in Israeli easier, in new areas as well. It allows many Israelis of Moroccan origin to feel more complete, also thanks to the fact that Morocco has become part of the Israeli agenda: it's no longer just a national culture, it's part of the state's political and diplomatic activity. We need to get used to this and to learn about these new spaces, and to create real connections there."
Eyal Biram, the director of "Israeliz," an apolitical organization that deals with improving Israel's image around the world, notes that "when the Abraham Accords were signed, Morocco was a little different from the project that we carried out in the UAE. The goal of the project, to which we are a partner, is to bring young people from the Arab world closer to Israel, and it would have been impossible to do this without the Jewish angle. Morocco is an expression of the new-old Israeli story. From the aspiration for a melting point, many young Israelis now have a desire to embrace their identities and cultures and to formulate a new-old story from them.
"With the help of the Morocco identity which reminds people of their grandmother's home, both the real and the imagined, we have returned to the country in order to continue to advance 'the leaders of tomorrow' – our unique and historical project, which reaches out to young people across the Middle East, in the Gulf and North Africa. We are calling for a new reality, to break down the old walls and to create quality meetings between Israeli young people and young people from the Arab world. From our perspective, it's clear that the Jewish community is a cornerstone in advancing these relations."
In summarizing the atmosphere and the current pervasive feelings, it's clear that Morocco is being transformed from a past nostalgia into a present and a future. "It's something that moves me personally," Levi emphasizes with enthusiasm, "people dreamed for years about this change, but it needed the seal of official relations for them to talk about their dream publicly. They want to do things with Morocco or in Morocco, and these are projects or initiatives that are connected to their personal and professional identities. I have a special 'file of dreams' - there are quite a lot of them, and I hope that we will be privileged to realize them soon."
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