Marrakech – Just recently appointed as the deputy chief of the Israeli liaison office in Rabat, diplomat Hassan Kaabia is already stirring controversy by inviting several Moroccan journalists to visit Israel this September.
The invitation comes at a highly sensitive time, as the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continue their deadly campaign against Gazan civilians.
According to an exclusive report by Maghreb Intelligence, observers in Rabat have criticized the timing of Kaabia’s initiative, stating that it is highly inappropriate given the ongoing conflict.
“A blind war that causes dozens of civilian casualties every day and devastates civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip,” fumed a former Moroccan minister.
Kaabia, who assumed his new role in the Moroccan capital in August, previously served as the Arabic-language spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
He was the point of contact for the Moroccan press during the scandal involving David Govrin, the former head of the Israeli office in Rabat, who faced serious allegations of sexual harassment, ethical violations, and illegally obtained benefits.
The appointment of Kaabia has also raised concerns due to his history of controversial statements.
Last year, he referred to those who support the Palestinian cause and resistance movement as “not human,” following the start of Israel’s devastating war on Gaza in October. These comments drew widespread condemnation on social media.
Prior to his diplomatic career, Kaabia served in the IOF for nearly two decades, participating in various incursions and uprisings.
He later joined the Foreign Ministry in 2002 as an advisor on Middle East affairs, working to strengthen relations between Israel and Arab countries by organizing trips for Arab officials and journalists to go to Israel.
In 2007, Kaabia became Israel’s first Muslim citizen to be appointed as a consul, serving in Alexandria, Egypt.
This unprecedented move was seen as an attempt by Israel to overcome the “popular siege” faced by its diplomats in Arab countries, despite the existence of official normalization of relations.
The controversial appointment and invitation come amid Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, which is about to enter its second year and is expected by experts to continue until 2025.
Israel’s devastating war has claimed the lives of at least 40,000 Palestinian civilians, with the actual toll potentially being much higher as many are missing presumed dead amongst the rubble.
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