Jerusalem: Two Israeli airlines launched their first commercial flight between Israel and Morocco on Sundays, less than a year after the countries officially normalized the relationship.
Israir’s flight departs Tel Aviv to Marrakech with around 100 Israeli tourists, the company said, for hours before the National Carrier Israel El Al sent his first direct flight to the same destination.
Israeli tourism minister Joel Razvozov said new direct flights would “help advance tourism, trade and economic cooperation and diplomatic agreements between the two countries.” Israel and Morocco agreed to normalize the relationship at the end of 2020 as part of “Acraham Abraham’s agreement”.
Morocco is among the four Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, to build diplomatic relations with Israel.
As part of an agreement, the United States agreed to recognize Moroccan claims to the West Sahara region, but the Biden government said it would review this decision.
Annexation Morocco in 1975 West Sahara was not recognized by the United Nations.
Many Israeli Jews have a lineage who traced back to Morocco, which is still home to a small Jewish community several thousand.
El Al said in a statement before his first flight departure who planned the company to operate five flights per week between Israel and Morocco.
“We hope that now many can know Morocco is better, to experience and vibrant with this special country rooted in Israel’s heritage, culture and experience,” said El Al CEO Avigal Sorek.