The Multiple Layers of Morocco’s Normalization with Israel
摘要
On December 22, 2020, Morocco signed an agreement to normalize its relationships with Israel. The agreement gave new dynamics to the diplomatic relations between the two countries because they had in fact entertained cordial relations prior to the signing of this agreement. This paper concentrates on two different aspects of the process of normalization with Israel. On the one hand, it looks at how the rationale and different strategies that the Moroccan state has used to package the deal to Moroccans and the subsequent reactions of different social actors. I argue that an important aspect of the process of normalization was the instrumentalization of Moroccan Jewish heritage and social networks. This paper looks at what I call the different “layers” of Morocco’s normalization with Israel that go beyond local national interest into broader issues that involve the Middle East and North Africa as well as US policies in the region. I argue that Morocco’s normalization process with Israel has different layers that have both local and international political, economic, and geopolitical implications. With the Western Sahara in mind, Morocco seeks to strengthen its military power and establish its economic geostrategic and security basis through its partnership with Israel.