Marrakech – After several Hebrew-language outlets claimed that Morocco would begin allowing flights from Israel as early as Thursday – making it the first Muslim-majority country to restore air links since the start of Israel’s far-right-driven Gaza genocide campaign – contradictory reports have surfaced from various sources regarding the actual timeline and the status of official approvals.
Israeli N12 (Channel 12) stated on Wednesday that Israeli airlines could reopen the direct route to Marrakech and Casablanca following discussions between Transportation Minister Miri Regev and her Moroccan counterpart Abdesamad Kayouh, with approval from civil aviation authorities in both countries.
This came just days after N12 reported on November 7 that “for the first time since October 7, the possibility of resuming direct flights between Israel and Morocco is being examined.”
That report claimed contacts had resumed between transportation and security officials from both countries following the end of “fighting,” with discussions about reactivating the “popular” direct route that previously enjoyed high demand and nearly full occupancy.
In fact, these reports are not new. Last February, Israeli Channel 13 alleged flights between the countries, suspended since the beginning of the war on Gaza, would resume in early April after Ramadan of this year, which ultimately did not happen.
Now, with the Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire in Gaza and renewed momentum behind the Abraham Accords – most recently reflected in Kazakhstan’s decision to join – the issue has once again come under the spotlight.
This comes as the Trump administration is also pushing for Syria to join, despite Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ruling out immediate participation in the Abraham Accords in a Fox News interview on November 10, citing Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights as a barrier to talks.
Flight resumption remains entirely dependent on security approvals
PassportNews revealed that Israel’s Shin Bet security agency – known in the Arab world as Shabak – has not yet authorized Israeli airlines to fly to Morocco. According to their report, Israir had already requested permission to resume flights several weeks ago but was denied security clearance.
“A conversation was held yesterday (November 12) between the civil aviation authorities of both countries. But for flights to return to normal, security issues must be resolved first,” PassportNews reported.
Calcalist similarly reported that despite Transportation Minister Regev’s announcement with her Moroccan peer in the sector about resuming the popular route, security approvals have not been granted.
Israir has already approached security agencies for the necessary authorizations, while El Al is waiting for developments, as it previously operated flights to Marrakech, while the announcement concerns Casablanca.
A check of El Al’s website by Morocco World News (MWN) shows no available flights to Morocco, contradicting claims that services would resume imminently.
The Israeli Ministry of Transportation disputed assertions about missing approvals. “Contrary to the report, approval from Israeli and Moroccan security authorities for resuming flights between the countries has been received by the Civil Aviation Authority,” they told Calcalist. “Therefore, the claim that the Transportation Minister’s declaration came before approvals were received is incorrect.”
The ministry added that Moroccan airlines are already permitted to operate passenger flights between Israel and Morocco, and Israeli carriers will be updated once the required security arrangements are completed.
Royal Air Maroc has not initiated any flights to Tel Aviv, despite having the necessary permissions.
While the Casablanca-based carrier previously operated flights to Tel Aviv before suspending them at the beginning of the conflict, it is also reportedly considering resuming operations once security clearances are obtained.
Direct flights between the countries were halted at the beginning of the war after Israel’s National Security Council raised the travel warning for Morocco to level 3, citing concerns about hostile elements and tensions in local communities in response to the brutal assault on Gaza. Both Israeli and Moroccan airlines subsequently suspended operations on the route.
While the decision might be framed as a security precaution, the suggestion that Morocco poses any danger is fundamentally inaccurate. Morocco has long been a land of peaceful coexistence, where Jewish life has flourished for centuries.
Even during the period of suspended direct flights, thousands of Israelis continued to visit the country via connecting routes – especially to attend major Jewish celebrations such as Hiloula pilgrimages to Rabbi Amram Ben Diwan in Ouazzane and Rabbi Haim Pinto in Essaouira, as well as Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Mimouna gatherings hosted by local communities.
This steady flow of visitors is hardly surprising: Morocco is home to the largest community of Moroccan Jews abroad – over 800,000 people in Israel alone – a diaspora that maintains deep emotional, cultural, and religious ties to the kingdom.
