Relationship dossier
Israel
Morocco
Relationship assessment
Relations combine post-2020 cooperation and defense ties with political strain over the Palestinian issue and Gaza.
Israel toward Morocco
+35Israel restored official relations with Morocco in 2020 and subsequently expanded security, defense, trade, and travel links. In 2023, Israel recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a significant Moroccan diplomatic priority.
Morocco toward Israel
+30Morocco restored official relations with Israel in 2020 and developed bilateral cooperation, including security and defense ties. The Moroccan government has also continued to advocate for Palestinian statehood and criticize Israeli actions in Gaza.
Overall relationship
+30The relationship has a substantial cooperative foundation in restored relations, security and defense cooperation, and Israel’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Support for Palestinian statehood and criticism of Israeli policy, particularly during the Gaza conflict, remain sources of strain.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Israel and Morocco restored official relations in 2020 and have since developed cooperation in areas including security, defense, trade, and travel. Israel’s 2023 recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara further strengthened ties. Morocco has continued to support Palestinian statehood and criticize Israeli actions in Gaza, contributing to political strain despite continued relations.
Areas of tension
- Morocco’s support for Palestinian statehood and criticism of Israeli policy.
- Israeli military actions in Gaza and their effect on Moroccan public and political debate.
Key developments
Israel and Morocco announced the restoration of official relations.
Israel and Morocco signed a memorandum on defense cooperation during an Israeli defense minister’s visit to Morocco.
Israel recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Major uncertainties
- The extent and implementation of security and defense cooperation are unclear.
- The effect of the Gaza conflict on practical bilateral cooperation is uncertain.