Rabat – The House of Councillors issued a press release to deny rumors about statements on the Israeli-Moroccan relations by Moroccan parliamentarians reported in Israeli news outlets.
Hebrew news outlet Maariv quoted on December 15 statements from both the speaker of Morocco’s House of Representatives, Habib El Malki, and the first vice president of the House of Councillors, Abdessamad Kayouh.
The news outlet claimed that both officials had made statements about Rabat-Tel Aviv relations, confirming Morocco’s unwillingness to improve ties with Israel.
The news outlet said that Kayouh, speaking at the Moroccan-French parliamentary forum in Paris, stated that: “It is not possible to publicly discuss relations with Israel.”
The two officials also allegedly said that Israelis are welcome to visit Morocco, the Hebrew news outlet reported.
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The House of Councillors has released an official statement responding to the claims, saying that it is “extremely surprised” to hear the “allegations” of statements made by Kayouh.
“This is something that the heads of parliamentary groups participating at the French-Moroccan Parliamentary forum categorically deny.”
The House of Representatives, according to Maghreb Arab Press (MAP), also issued a statement to deny the news.
“The House of Representatives confirmed that the news about an interview between the speaker of the house, Habib El Malki and the Hebrew newspaper is not true,” MAP reported.
The news agency added that the news constitute a “disruption targeting the quality of relations between Morocco and France.”
The “components” of the council expressed surprise about the news.
In addition to statements about Israeli-Moroccan relations, Maariv also claimed that both Moroccan parliamentarians had spoken about the alleged request of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accompany US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on his recent visit to Morocco to meet with King Mohammed VI.
The Hebrew news outlet denied the news.
Morocco’s government has been denying any normalization with Israel, expressing full support for the Palestinian cause.
The government and King Mohammed VI also continue to strongly condemn the continuous occupation and violation of Israel towards Palestine, calling for an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
