Israeli Minister's Historic Visit to Morocco
On August 20, 2026, Israeli Minister of Transportation, Miri Regev, embarked on a significant journey to Morocco aboard the inaugural direct flight from the Israeli airline Arkia to Marrakech. This flight marks a pivotal moment, as it signifies the resumption of direct air travel between Israel and Morocco after a hiatus of three years. The visit comes in the wake of the Abraham Accords, which were aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including Morocco. Accompanying Regev on this special flight were notable figures, including Moshe Ben Zaken, the Director General of the Ministry of Transportation, Idan Mualem, the head of the Public Transport Authority, and her adviser Reut. The official agenda for her visit extends until August 24, making it her third trip to Morocco since joining Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing government, highlighting her Moroccan roots.
Strengthening Ties Amidst Controversy
In an official statement, Regev's spokesperson emphasized that the resumption of flights to Marrakech represents "a new step towards normalizing relations and strengthening ties between Israel and Morocco in line with the Abraham Accords." However, Regev's previous visit to Morocco in February had stirred controversy; during that trip, she attended an international conference that led to protests from several Moroccan lawyers who filed a complaint seeking her arrest due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The administrative court in Rabat ultimately dismissed their request, underscoring the complexities and sensitivities surrounding diplomatic relations between the two nations.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
