Israel’s Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday that it had participated for the first time in a defence exhibition in Morocco [Screengrab/Israeli MoD]
Israel’s Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday that it had participated for the first time in a defence exhibition in Morocco, with experts telling The New Arab that this marks a more “public” relationship between the two countries.
In a statement, the ministry said it opened a pavilion at the Marrakesh Airshow 2026 for the first time, and that it also marked the first time it had participated in such an event in the kingdom since the signing of the controversial Abraham Accords of 2020.
“Eight Israeli defense companies exhibited advanced, combat-proven technologies at the show, including loitering munitions, AI-powered robotic systems, autonomous navigation capabilities for UAVs, laser guidance for FPV drones, satellite communications, and more,” the statement read.
“Alongside the IMOD pavilion, Israel’s three major defense industries, Elbit Systems, IAI – Israel Aerospace Industries, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, also exhibited, presenting solutions across the air, land, sea, space, intelligence, cyber, and digital domains,” it continued.
The Israeli ministry further said its attendance at the exhibition formed part of a strategy to increase defence exports and cooperation with countries around the world.
Their participation at the expo comes at the same time Gaza marked three years since the start of the genocide, where Israeli forces have killed over 74,000 people since October 2023.
Israeli arms firms frequently market weapons tested in the occupied Palestinian territories as “battle tested”.
The expo, which started on 7 October, takes place every two years and sees firms from the space and military industries showcase their latest offerings.
Many activists and campaigners have lambasted Israel’s attendance at the event, calling it a sign of warming relations between the two.
Yassin Akouh, an independent journalist specialising in Morocco and author of Colonial Curse (Koloniale Vloek), a book on the colonial legacy in Morocco, told The New Arab that the relationship between Rabat and Tel Aviv is not new.
“This relationship is not new. Under Hassan II, Morocco and Israel cooperated for decades, mostly behind closed doors…what has changed since 2020 is not the relationship itself. What has changed is that it now happens in the open, and increasingly in the military and security sphere. The role of the US, and of the pro-Israel lobby in shaping American policy in the region, is well documented and should not be underestimated,” he said.
He also noted his surprise at seeing some support for normalisation in Morocco.
“What shocks me is how shameless it has all become,” he said, but noted that much of the population still stands in solidarity with the Palestinians.
“Moroccan society remains deeply attached to the Palestinian cause. Since October 2023, tens of thousands have repeatedly taken to the streets, and ending normalisation has become a constant demand. The state tolerates the marches but has prosecuted activists who went further online,” he said.
“What comes next? Ambassadors, investment and tax agreements, more direct flights, high-level visits and, above all, deeper defence cooperation. I don’t expect mass unrest over this alone. The anger is real, but the monarchy is a red line, and the king’s foreign policy is not open to public debate. Still, the gap between the palace and the street is growing, and every new step widens it,” he continued.
Last month, nationwide protests in Morocco demanded an end to normalisation with Israel, as well as stronger solidarity with Palestinians.
The demonstrations followed a 16 September announcement in New York by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz that Morocco and Israel would upgrade their liaison offices to embassies and appoint ambassadors.
Morocco and Israel recently agreed to expand in the air travel sector, with direct flights operated by carriers from both nations resuming and plans for high-level visits drawn up and set to take place in the coming months.
For the First Time in Morocco: Israel MOD Opened a National Pavilion and Led an Israeli Delegation to Marrakech Airshow 2026 🇮🇱🇲🇦 Read More: https://t.co/z0u8s2NnWA https://t.co/WhblElHoyi
— Ministry of Defense (@Israel_MOD) October 8, 2026
Israel’s ministry of defence also confirmed that during the exhibition, meetings were held with delegations and government officials from various countries and their goal is to strengthen the Israeli army’s “force buildup, influence foreign policy, and bolster the Israeli defence industry and economy”.
Opposition to Morocco’s relationship with Israel has intensified amid Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza since 7 October 2023, with pro-Palestinian demonstrations repeatedly demanding that Rabat sever diplomatic ties.
