PREVIEW
A $1bn defence purchase lies at the heart of Rabat’s attempt to normalise relations with Tel Aviv
Morocco plans to acquire a spy satellite from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in a US$1 billion deal, in the latest move as part of its defence deal with Tel Aviv. The state-owned IAI (ISRAI.UL) confirmed that it had agreed it a $1bn contract to supply one of its systems to an unnamed third party, with Moroccan media later confirming that Rabat would be the recipient.
IAI, which makes some of Israel’s most advanced drones and missile defence systems, has stated that the deal will be carried out over five years. Israel and Morocco agreed a defence pact in 2021, covering intelligence and cooperation in military industries and procurement, and Rabat has been particularly keen to use Israeli spyware.
When its use of Pegasus spyware, developed by Israeli company NSO, came to light, Morocco was accused of using the programme to hack the phones of journalists and politicians (AC Vol 64 No 4, Qatargate fuels Rabat's schism with Euro MPs).
The defence deal lies at the heart of Morocco’s attempt to normalise relations with Israel, an agenda which was launched in 2020 and boosted relations between Rabat and the United States government of former President Donald Trump (AC Vol 61 No 25, King reaps Saharan dividend).
There are plenty of Moroccans who oppose closer ties with Israel and want more emphatic support for the Palestinians. The war in Gaza has prompted a wave of heavily-policed protests against King Mohammed VI’s diplomatic recognition of Israel (AC Vol 65 No 2, Royalty shows signs of stress).
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