Moroccan, Israeli Museums Keen To Strengthen Cultural Cooperation

Rabat – Morocco and Israel plan to strengthen cultural ties after the countries signed an agreement on Wednesday to share knowledge on the management of museums.

Morocco’s National Museums Foundation (FNM) and Israel’s International Council of Museums (ICOM) signed a memorandum of understanding which should pave the way for museums in the two countries to organize joint conferences.

The agreement will allow Moroccan and Israeli museums to share tips on running the cultural institutions, in particular digital archiving and the borrowing of artwork, said the president of the FNM, Mehdi Qotbi in a press release.

ICOM’s director, Samira Raz, welcomed the MoU’s signing, describing it as a “historical moment” that initiates bridges of cooperation between Moroccan and Israeli museums and art exhibitions.

Raz and Qotbi signed the agreement which is expected to introduce Moroccans to their influence on Israeli culture.

Moroccan and Israeli curators and researchers are set to benefit from the agreement as they will gain free access to museum resources in both countries.

Israel and Morocco normalized diplomatic and economic relations in December 2020.

Since then, the countries have signed several bilateral agreements in the tourism, trade, aerospace and aviation, and defense sectors, among others.

Moroccan and Israeli officials and businesses have expressed a shared interest in reinforcing multi-sectoral cooperation.

Today, Israeli citizens – including Moroccan-Israeli communities – can visit the North African country with a direct flight, leading to political, economic, and cultural rapprochement between the two countries.