Israeli army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi will visit Morocco next week, in the first trip by an Israeli military commander to the north African nation, said Israeli media.
On Friday, the army said Kohavi would make a three-day visit to an Arab nation, but it didn’t specify the destination for "security reasons".
The announcement was made following a security meeting with US President Joe Biden who visited to Israel’s advanced missile-defense systems at its main international airport on Friday. Israel showed off a multilayered system and the new "Light Shield."
An Israeli source said Kohavi will seek to develop military cooperation with Morocco.
Rabat has played a key role in the Israeli decision to give Palestinians around-the-clock access to the Allenby Bridge border crossing with Jordan.
Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli had been working with Moroccan officials, alongside US and Palestinian teams, for the past several months to find a solution to keep the crossing open around the clock.
Michaeli publicly thanked Biden, as well as King Mohammad VI and Morocco "for their continued commitment and efforts to promote peace and prosperity in the Middle East."
The Hebrew-language Channel 7 said this step was pushed further in the wake of Biden's visit, and it is expected to be implemented once the logistical conditions are met, including the recruitment of the required workforce.
It is part of a series of steps promoted by Michaeli to bolster regional ties and cooperation, shifting Israel into a major power in transporting passengers, workers and goods, as well as boosting its economy.
The two countries agreed in December 2020 to resume diplomatic ties and relaunch direct flights - part of a deal brokered by the administration of former US President Donald Trump that also included Washington’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
In the same year, Israel normalized ties with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain as part of the Abraham Accords.
Earlier this year, Kohavi traveled to Bahrain on a first official trip. Also during that visit, Kohavi reportedly met with his Qatari counterpart.
Kohavi’s term as chief of staff will end in January 2023.
Five Israeli ministers have visited Morocco recently, namely Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Minister of Science and Technology Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Minister of Economy and Industry Orna Barbivay, and Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked.
