Israel’s El Al airline to launch direct flights to Morocco as relations between the two countries continue to progress nearly eight months after the two countries reached a US-backed normalisation deal.
El Al airline’s first direct flight numbered LY 553 took off at 11:30 am local time from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport to Morocco’s southwest city of Marrakech.
The El Al flight lounge for flight LY553 was decorated with Moroccan flags, carpets, and other items.
The flight comes ahead of a prearranged visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to Morocco at the end of July.
On December 10, 2020, Israel and Morocco announced the resumption of diplomatic relations between them after they were suspended in 2002 following the second Palestinian intifada, making Morocco the fourth Arab country to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 after the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Sudan.
The normalisation deals have since drawn widespread condemnations from Palestinians, who say the accords ignore their rights and do not serve the Palestinian cause.
The move came as the administration of former US President Donald Trump recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a disputed and divided former Spanish colony.
Both airlines’ round trip tickets to Marrakesh cost around $500.
El Al operated the first direct commercial flight between Tel Aviv and Rabat in December 2020.
Morocco is home to North Africa’s largest Jewish community, which numbers around 3,000. Some 700,000 Jews of Moroccan origin live in Israel.
PM suspends collection of power bills from consumers in flood-affected areas
- 2 گھنٹے قبل
Nepal returns to calm as first woman PM takes charge, visits wounded
- 2 گھنٹے قبل
Field Marshal, PM leave for important visit to Bannu
- 9 گھنٹے قبل
Another person dies of Naegleria in Karachi
- 2 گھنٹے قبل
Arab, Muslim leaders to meet in Qatar to denounce Israeli attack
- 3 گھنٹے قبل
Gold prices decline in Pakistan today
- 8 گھنٹے قبل
World Athletics Championships begin in Tokyo
- 8 گھنٹے قبل
President expresses Pakistan’s full support for China’s vision of civilisation exchange, mutual learning
- 6 گھنٹے قبل
U.S. loss to South Korea another misstep with World Cup prep time running out
- 6 گھنٹے قبل
Blasphemy case: Engr Muhammad Ali Mirza remanded in NCCIA custody for seven days
- 7 گھنٹے قبل
Judiciary is facing challenges in journey to deliver justice: CJP Afridi
- 7 گھنٹے قبل
Wasim Akram tells Pakistan, India to forget noise and ‘enjoy’ Asia Cup clash
- 7 گھنٹے قبل
