Rabat – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks today with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita on the Palestinian cause.
Blinken announced his talks with Bourita in a Twitter post, saying that the conversation covered the “importance of restoring calm in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza.”
He said restoring calm should help prevent “further loss of life.”
Blinken added, “Morocco is a strategic partner, and we will work together to end this conflict.”
The US Department of State also shared a statement on the talks between Bourita and Blinken.
The statement expressed concerns regarding the situation in Palestine and the military confrontation between Hamas and Israel that has already claimed the lives of over 200, including children.
“The Secretary highlighted the importance of the strong bilateral partnership and Morocco’s key role in fostering stability in the region.”
This week’s talks between Blinken and Bourita come less than a month after the pair’s first conversation.
The two officials held their first official phone call on April 30, when they discussed several topics of common interest, including security cooperation.
“Had a good conversation today with Moroccan Foreign Minister Bourita about a range of shared regional peace and security interests, including developments in Libya,” Blinken tweeted at the time before the State Department’s official readout.
Morocco’s constant position on Palestine
Meanwhile, the news of the latest Bourita-Blinken discussions comes amid continued escalations as Israel continues its relentless airstrikes on Gaza and its mistreatment of Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem.
Morocco’s government has repeatedly warned that such attacks against Palestinians’ dignity and legitimate rights will create more escalation.
On May 16, Morocco’s Delegate Minister of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s aggressions against Palestinians.
Speaking during an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Nezha El Ouafi renewed Morocco’s unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause and the special status of Al Quds.
She said Morocco’s approach combines political and diplomatic efforts.
The official also recalled Morocco’s decision to send emergency humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza.
The aid includes 40 tonnes of necessary food products, medicines, and blankets.
El Ouafi reiterated that the escalation needs urgent international efforts to defuse tensions that “ultimately only serve the forces of extremism that advocate hate and hostile ideas.”
