Baram to Inaugurate Permanent Israeli Defense Attaché Office in Rabat

Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram will inaugurate permanent premises for Israel’s defense attaché office in Rabat during a visit to Morocco, the ministry announced on November 10. Col. Sharon Itach heads the office as Israel’s first permanent defense attaché in the country. Baram, a retired major general, is leading a delegation sent by Defense Minister Israel Katz. The ministry said the delegation met Morocco’s defense minister, military chief and senior royal-palace and intelligence officials. IDF representatives are also taking part in the visit. The ministry described joint training in several fields as part of the military relationship. Baram said, “Morocco is not just another security partner; it is much more than that.” He described ties built on trust, mutual appreciation, Jewish heritage and historical links, and expressed an intention to develop the relationship further. According to the ministry, most defense transactions between the countries take place through government-to-government arrangements that it leads. Israeli companies also support defense manufacturing in Morocco through joint ventures and reciprocal procurement. The ministry linked its expansion of international partnerships and defense exports to IDF force development, Israel’s foreign-policy influence and Israeli industry. Israel and Morocco renewed diplomatic relations in 2020 and signed a defense memorandum in November 2021, the ministry said. The inauguration of the permanent attaché premises is planned for the current visit.