Israel Debuts at Marrakech Air Show Amid Protests and Defense Ties

Israel is officially participating in the Marrakech Air Show for the first time since the normalization of ties in 2020. Eight Israeli defense companies, including Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, and Rafael, are showcasing their technologies at the event.

Protests and Security Context

The participation has sparked protests in Marrakech and Rabat led by anti-normalization activists. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and burned flags, criticizing military cooperation. Moroccan police monitored the rallies without intervening.

"Bilateral cooperation has reached levels that were almost unimaginable when relations were renewed in 2020," a senior Israeli official stated.

Despite the demonstrations, official engagements and business meetings continued smoothly at the exhibition pavilions, highlighting strategic defense ties between the nations.