The Berber granaries, considered as one of the oldest banking systems, were used by Amazigh communities inhabiting the mountainous south of Morocco to store all kinds of valuable belongings from documents, jewelry and harvest. Morocco is now planning to include them in UNESCO's world heritage sites list

Discover Morocco's ancient granaries, "the first indication of the emergence of banks"

In the arid mountains of southern Morocco, local women harvest argan oil, a natural product they have long used in cooking but which has become highly prized by the global beauty industry as an anti-aging skin treatment and restorative for hair.

Amazigh women of Morocco produce what is known as "liquid gold"

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles on Saturday denounced as "unacceptable" Morocco's use of young people to violate Spain's borders following a record influx of arrivals early last week.&nbsp;

"One thing is clear: when minors are used as an instrument to breach Spain's territorial borders, this is unacceptable," she told RTVE public television at a ceremony to mark armed forces day.

Spain and Morocco have been locked in a diplomatic spat over Western Sahara, which set off a chain of events that last week saw up to 10,000 mainly young people cross into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta as Moroccan guards looked the other way.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-hails-gentle-policewoman-stabbed-in-attack-388286" hreflang="en">France hails 'gentle' policewoman stabbed in attack</a>

The arrivals overwhelmed the tiny enclave and although most have been sent back, there are still more than 800 mostly Moroccan minors in Ceuta, where the authorities are working around the clock to track down their parents.&nbsp;

The incident has sparked a war of words between Madrid and Rabat, with Robles last week accusing Morocco of "aggression" and "blackmail".&nbsp;

"It's unacceptable from any point of view, whether you're talking international law or humanitarian law," she said on Saturday.&nbsp;

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"No country acting in a spirit of good neighbourliness could use minors in that way."

Spain, she said, had always been "one of Morocco's main supporters, but we demand respect from Morocco... because that is key to coexistence."

Madrid said 1,500 of the arrivals were minors while Amnesty International gave a figure of 2,000. Ceuta has accused Rabat of using "manipulative tricks" to encourage youngsters to cross to put pressure on Spain over Western Sahara.&nbsp;

The influx was made possible because Moroccan border forces deliberately looked the other way in what was widely understood as a punitive gesture after Spain offered hospital treatment to the leader of Western Sahara's independence movement.&nbsp;

Spain's two tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have Europe's only land border with Africa, making them a magnet for migrants desperate to escape grinding poverty and hunger.&nbsp;

The huge influx of people had triggered fears of an upsurge in COVID-19 infection, but by Friday, that number stood at just 39 imported cases, health ministry figures showed.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles on Saturday denounced as "unacceptable" Morocco's use of young people to violate Spain's borders following a record influx of arrivals early last week.

Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles on Saturday denounced as "unacceptable" Morocco's use of young people to violate Spain's borders following a record influx of arrivals early last week. "One thing is clear: when minors are used as an instrument to breach Spain's territorial borders, this is unacceptable," she told RTVE public television at a ceremony to mark armed forces day. Spain and Morocco have been locked in a diplomatic spat over Western Sahara, which set off a chain of events that last week saw up to 10,000 mainly young people cross into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta as Moroccan guards looked the other way. Also read | France hails 'gentle' policewoman stabbed in attack The arrivals overwhelmed the tiny enclave and although most have been sent back, there are still more than 800 mostly Moroccan minors in Ceuta, where the authorities are working around the clock to track down their parents. The incident has sparked a war of words between Madrid and Rabat, with Robles last week accusing Morocco of "aggression" and "blackmail". "It's unacceptable from any point of view, whether you're talking international law or humanitarian law," she said on Saturday. Also read | Russia approves Air France, Lufthansa routes which avoid Belarus airspace "No country acting in a spirit of good neighbourliness could use minors in that way." Spain, she said, had always been "one of Morocco's main supporters, but we demand respect from Morocco... because that is key to coexistence." Madrid said 1,500 of the arrivals were minors while Amnesty International gave a figure of 2,000. Ceuta has accused Rabat of using "manipulative tricks" to encourage youngsters to cross to put pressure on Spain over Western Sahara. The influx was made possible because Moroccan border forces deliberately looked the other way in what was widely understood as a punitive gesture after Spain offered hospital treatment to the leader of Western Sahara's independence movement. Spain's two tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla have Europe's only land border with Africa, making them a magnet for migrants desperate to escape grinding poverty and hunger. The huge influx of people had triggered fears of an upsurge in COVID-19 infection, but by Friday, that number stood at just 39 imported cases, health ministry figures showed.

Spain says Morocco's use of minors to breach border 'unacceptable'

After vaccinating locals against the deadly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>, Morocco has decided to vaccinate the prisoners, to ensure no further infection occurs.

Authorities have vaccinated nearly eight million locals with the first dose against coronavirus and almost five million people with both doses, as per official figures.

However, the government now wants to make sure the same is done for the prisoners to protect them from the deadly virus, which now has multiple variants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-a-migration-crisis-in-spain-triggered-by-a-diplomatic-spat-386618">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-a-migration-crisis-in-spain-triggered-by-a-diplomatic-spat-386618/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Morocco has nearly 78 prisons that house close to 85,000 prisoners. Of those, the authorities have decided to launch a campaign to vaccinate at least 4,000 prisoners as soon as possible.

As of now, all inmates above the age of 45 and those with chronic diseases will be vaccinated against the deadly virus.

This vaccination campaign will aim to safeguard at least 80 per cent of the prisoners, Taoufiq Abtal, the head of health for the prison authority DGAPR, told local reporters.

Calling it a "pioneering operation", he said the vaccination campaign has made “good progress” till now and he is confident the same will continue.

He also acknowledged the problem of overcrowding in the prisons of the country as some jails have reported an occupancy rate of more than 250 per cent.

Morocco, currently, has kept its borders closed to nearly 54 countries and a night-time curfew has been extended till June 10.

(With inputs from agencies)

After vaccinating locals against the deadly coronavirus, Morocco has decided to vaccinate the prisoners, to ensure no further infection occurs. Authorities have vaccinated nearly eight million locals with the first dose against coronavirus and almost five million people with both doses, as per official figures.

After vaccinating locals against the deadly coronavirus, Morocco has decided to vaccinate the prisoners, to ensure no further infection occurs. Authorities have vaccinated nearly eight million locals with the first dose against coronavirus and almost five million people with both doses, as per official figures. However, the government now wants to make sure the same is done for the prisoners to protect them from the deadly virus, which now has multiple variants. WATCH | Morocco has nearly 78 prisons that house close to 85,000 prisoners. Of those, the authorities have decided to launch a campaign to vaccinate at least 4,000 prisoners as soon as possible. As of now, all inmates above the age of 45 and those with chronic diseases will be vaccinated against the deadly virus. This vaccination campaign will aim to safeguard at least 80 per cent of the prisoners, Taoufiq Abtal, the head of health for the prison authority DGAPR, told local reporters. Calling it a "pioneering operation", he said the vaccination campaign has made “good progress” till now and he is confident the same will continue. He also acknowledged the problem of overcrowding in the prisons of the country as some jails have reported an occupancy rate of more than 250 per cent. Morocco, currently, has kept its borders closed to nearly 54 countries and a night-time curfew has been extended till June 10. (With inputs from agencies)

'Pioneering operation': Morocco to start vaccinating prisoners against Covid

Spain has accused Morocco of blackmail - after 8,000 migrants tried to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta this week. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how a diplomatic spat triggered a migrant crisis for Spain.

Gravitas: A migration crisis in Spain, triggered by a diplomatic spat

The migrant crisis at the Spain-Morocco border has escalated within the past few days. Violent clashes, tear gas, hypothermia, nothing seems to stop the migrants from fleeing Morocco. Let's get you some voices from ground zero to understand why.

Why are Moroccans trying to enter Europe?

Arab countries, including four that last year agreed to normalise relations with Israel, have condemned a weekend of violence after hundreds of Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli security forces.

The violence around east Jerusalem's revered Al-Aqsa mosque compound and the Old City is the worst since 2017, fuelled by a years-long bid by Jewish settlers to take over Palestinian homes.

Criticism of Israeli conduct has poured in from Sudan, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, all nations that last year agreed to normalise, or normalised, relations with the Jewish state.&nbsp;

Khartoum labelled Israeli measures in Jerusalem against Palestinians as "repression", and "coercive action" in a foreign ministry statement late Saturday.

It called on the Israeli government "to refrain from taking unilateral steps that diminish the chances for resuming peace negotiations."

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The UAE and Bahrain condemned Friday's storming of the Al-Aqsa mosque by Israeli security forces, and the ensuing crackdown on worshippers seeking to access the site.&nbsp;

Abu Dhabi urged Israeli authorities to "take responsibility for de-escalation" of violence at the holy site, while Manama called on the Israeli government "to stop these rejected provocations against the people of Jerusalem."&nbsp;

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Meanwhile, Morocco expressed "deep concern" over the violence saying King Mohammed VI "considers these violations... (are) likely to fuel tensions."&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said it "rejected" Israeli plans to evacuate Palestinian households from Jerusalem, and called for the reinstatement of the pre-1967 borders.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-erdogan-calls-israel-terror-state-over-palestinian-clashes-at-al-aqsa-383800">Turkey's Erdogan calls Israel 'terror state' over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa&nbsp;</a>

Israel occupied east Jerusalem during the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it, in a move not recognised by most of the international community. &nbsp;

Arab countries, including four that last year agreed to normalise relations with Israel, have condemned a weekend of violence after hundreds of Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli security forces.

Arab countries, including four that last year agreed to normalise relations with Israel, have condemned a weekend of violence after hundreds of Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli security forces. The violence around east Jerusalem's revered Al-Aqsa mosque compound and the Old City is the worst since 2017, fuelled by a years-long bid by Jewish settlers to take over Palestinian homes. Criticism of Israeli conduct has poured in from Sudan, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, all nations that last year agreed to normalise, or normalised, relations with the Jewish state. Khartoum labelled Israeli measures in Jerusalem against Palestinians as "repression", and "coercive action" in a foreign ministry statement late Saturday. It called on the Israeli government "to refrain from taking unilateral steps that diminish the chances for resuming peace negotiations." Also read | 'Stop Clashes': Pope Francis calls for end to violence in Jerusalem The UAE and Bahrain condemned Friday's storming of the Al-Aqsa mosque by Israeli security forces, and the ensuing crackdown on worshippers seeking to access the site. Abu Dhabi urged Israeli authorities to "take responsibility for de-escalation" of violence at the holy site, while Manama called on the Israeli government "to stop these rejected provocations against the people of Jerusalem." Also read | Jerusalem: Nightly violent encounter injures 178 Palestinians and 6 police officers Meanwhile, Morocco expressed "deep concern" over the violence saying King Mohammed VI "considers these violations... (are) likely to fuel tensions." Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said it "rejected" Israeli plans to evacuate Palestinian households from Jerusalem, and called for the reinstatement of the pre-1967 borders. Also read | Turkey's Erdogan calls Israel 'terror state' over Palestinian clashes at Al-Aqsa Israel occupied east Jerusalem during the Six-Day War of 1967 and later annexed it, in a move not recognised by most of the international community.

Arab nations hit out at Israel over Jerusalem violence

A woman from Mali has given birth to nine babies after only expecting seven, Mali's minister of health announced on Wednesday. Halima Cisse gave birth to five girls and four boys by caesarean section in Morocco on Tuesday after being sent there for special care, the minister said. The 25-year-old and her newborns were doing well, she added.

A Malian woman gives birth to nine babies at once

A 25-year-old woman in Mali has given birth to nine babies in Morocco on Tuesday.&nbsp;

According to the Malian government, all nine babies and the mother are "doing well".

Halima Cisse was expected to deliver seven babies, according to ultrasounds done in Morocco and Mali.&nbsp;

Giving birth to seven babies at once is a rare phenomenon and rarer is delivering nine kids.

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/baby-born-in-iraq-with-three-penises-makes-medical-history-375273">Baby born in Iraq with three penises makes medical history</a>

"The mother and babies are doing well so far," Mali's Health Minister Fanta Siby told news agency AFP.&nbsp;

The Malian health ministry said that Cisse has given birth to five girls and four boys and all nine kids were delivered by caesarean section.

Siby said that the mother and children would return back to Mali in several weeks.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/world/miracle-baby-woman-becomes-pregnant-despite-being-virgin-369775">'Miracle baby': Woman becomes pregnant, despite being virgin</a>

Local media reports had expressed concerns about Cisse's and her babies health.&nbsp;

Earlier, the Malian government shifted Cisse to Morocco on March 30 for providing her with better treatment.&nbsp;

However, Moroccan health ministry spokesman Rachid Koudhari said he had no information regarding such delivery being taken place in one of the hospitals of the country.&nbsp;

Siby congratulated "the medical teams of Mali and Morocco, whose professionalism is at the origin of the happy outcome of this pregnancy". 
&nbsp;

A 25-year-old woman in Mali has given birth to nine babies in Morocco on Tuesday. According to the Malian government, all nine babies and the mother are "doing well".

A 25-year-old woman in Mali has given birth to nine babies in Morocco on Tuesday. According to the Malian government, all nine babies and the mother are "doing well". Halima Cisse was expected to deliver seven babies, according to ultrasounds done in Morocco and Mali. Giving birth to seven babies at once is a rare phenomenon and rarer is delivering nine kids. Also read | Baby born in Iraq with three penises makes medical history "The mother and babies are doing well so far," Mali's Health Minister Fanta Siby told news agency AFP. The Malian health ministry said that Cisse has given birth to five girls and four boys and all nine kids were delivered by caesarean section. Siby said that the mother and children would return back to Mali in several weeks. Also read | 'Miracle baby': Woman becomes pregnant, despite being virgin Local media reports had expressed concerns about Cisse's and her babies health. Earlier, the Malian government shifted Cisse to Morocco on March 30 for providing her with better treatment. However, Moroccan health ministry spokesman Rachid Koudhari said he had no information regarding such delivery being taken place in one of the hospitals of the country. Siby congratulated "the medical teams of Mali and Morocco, whose professionalism is at the origin of the happy outcome of this pregnancy".

Not two or three, woman in Mali gives birth to nine babies

Around 100 migrants tried to swim to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, Spanish police said Monday.

The migrants set off on Sunday from beaches in Fnideq, a few kilometres south of Ceuta and "some" managed to reach a beach in Ceuta on their own while most had to be rescued by Spanish rescue boats, a spokesman for the Guardia Civil police force in Ceuta said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Spain's famous Pamplona bull-run cancelled for second year due to pandemic">Spain's famous Pamplona bull-run cancelled for second year due to pandemic</a>

The migrants, including minors, set off in groups of 20 to 30 throughout the day, he added.

"It is not normal, there can be groups of three, four or five, but not this many," the police spokesman said.

The migrants were checked by Red Cross workers and three were treated for hypothermia in hospital.

The rest were taken by police to warehouse where they will undergo a coronavirus quarantine before their demands for asylum are processed.

Another five migrants swam to Ceuta from Morocco on Monday, police said.

Ceuta,&nbsp;together with a second Spanish&nbsp;enclave in north Africa, Melilla,&nbsp;have the European Union's only land borders&nbsp;with Africa, making them popular entry points for migrants&nbsp;seeking a better life in Europe.&nbsp;

Migrants try to reach the enclaves either by swimming along the coast or climbing the tall border fences that separate them from Morocco.

Around 100 migrants tried to swim to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, Spanish police said Monday. The migrants set off on Sunday from beaches in Fnideq, a few kilometres south of Ceuta and "some" managed to reach a beach in Ceuta on their own while most had to be rescued by Spanish rescue boats, a spokesman for the Guardia Civil police force in Ceuta said.

Around 100 migrants tried to swim to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, Spanish police said Monday. The migrants set off on Sunday from beaches in Fnideq, a few kilometres south of Ceuta and "some" managed to reach a beach in Ceuta on their own while most had to be rescued by Spanish rescue boats, a spokesman for the Guardia Civil police force in Ceuta said. Also read: Spain's famous Pamplona bull-run cancelled for second year due to pandemic The migrants, including minors, set off in groups of 20 to 30 throughout the day, he added. "It is not normal, there can be groups of three, four or five, but not this many," the police spokesman said. The migrants were checked by Red Cross workers and three were treated for hypothermia in hospital. The rest were taken by police to warehouse where they will undergo a coronavirus quarantine before their demands for asylum are processed. Another five migrants swam to Ceuta from Morocco on Monday, police said. Ceuta, together with a second Spanish enclave in north Africa, Melilla, have the European Union's only land borders with Africa, making them popular entry points for migrants seeking a better life in Europe. Migrants try to reach the enclaves either by swimming along the coast or climbing the tall border fences that separate them from Morocco.

Around 100 migrants swim to Spain's Ceuta enclave

Morocco's Foreign Affairs Ministry summoned the Spanish ambassador on Sunday to convey the government's 'regret' over Spain's decision to receive for medical treatment of the leader of a regional group fighting Morocco for independence.&nbsp;

Spanish officials revealed last week that Brahim Ghali, 73, is hospitalised in Spain for treatment of COVID-19.&nbsp;

Ghali heads the Polisario Front, which has long fought for the independence from Morocco of Western Sahara, periodically engaging the Moroccan armed forces.&nbsp;

The Moroccan foreign ministry said Spain's stance is inconsistent with the spirit of partnership and good neighborliness. Morocco is seeking an explanation of Spain's position, the ministry said.&nbsp;

The diplomatic tension between Rabat and Madrid comes as Spain seeks Morocco's cooperation in stemming the flow of migrants across the sea to Spanish territory. The Spanish government is also seeking to deepen economic ties with Africa.&nbsp;

An official from Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week that Ghali had been taken in 'for strictly humanitarian reasons’.&nbsp;

Western Sahara stretches along Africa's Atlantic coast south of the Moroccan resort city of Agadir, and borders Algeria and Mauritania. It has a population of 600,000 people. It was colonised by Spain in the 19th century and annexed by Morocco in 1975.&nbsp;

The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the self-declared government also led by Ghali, says he is recovering favorably in an unidentified Spanish hospital. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Morocco's Foreign Affairs Ministry summoned the Spanish ambassador on Sunday to convey the government's 'regret' over Spain's decision to receive for medical treatment of the leader of a regional group fighting Morocco for independence.

Morocco's Foreign Affairs Ministry summoned the Spanish ambassador on Sunday to convey the government's 'regret' over Spain's decision to receive for medical treatment of the leader of a regional group fighting Morocco for independence. Spanish officials revealed last week that Brahim Ghali, 73, is hospitalised in Spain for treatment of COVID-19. Ghali heads the Polisario Front, which has long fought for the independence from Morocco of Western Sahara, periodically engaging the Moroccan armed forces. The Moroccan foreign ministry said Spain's stance is inconsistent with the spirit of partnership and good neighborliness. Morocco is seeking an explanation of Spain's position, the ministry said. The diplomatic tension between Rabat and Madrid comes as Spain seeks Morocco's cooperation in stemming the flow of migrants across the sea to Spanish territory. The Spanish government is also seeking to deepen economic ties with Africa. An official from Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said last week that Ghali had been taken in 'for strictly humanitarian reasons’. Western Sahara stretches along Africa's Atlantic coast south of the Moroccan resort city of Agadir, and borders Algeria and Mauritania. It has a population of 600,000 people. It was colonised by Spain in the 19th century and annexed by Morocco in 1975. The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, the self-declared government also led by Ghali, says he is recovering favorably in an unidentified Spanish hospital. (With inputs from agencies)

Morocco scolds Spain over virus help for independence leader 

Libya which is in a deadly regional conflict might finally see some peace after a new line of talks between the rival camps in Morocco. The talks begin to put an end to a decade-old conflict.

Libya's opposing factions come together for talks

Brazil, which has world's second-highest COVID-19 death count after the United States, has been urging India to send the AstraZeneca vaccine.

India to begin COVID Vaccine free jabs to Brazil, Morocco from today

India has allowed commercial export of Covid-19 vaccines being manufactured in the country from Friday. Brazil and Morocco will be the first two countries that are getting the commercial contracted supplies of 20 lakh doses each with flights leaving at 4.15 am IST and 8 am IST, respectively tomorrow.&nbsp;

Remember Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for vaccines. In a letter, he said, "Brazilian government has launched the National Immunization Program against Covid-19" and "Among the vaccines selected by the Brazilian government, are those from the Indian company Bharat Biotech International Limited (Covaxin) and AstraZeneca and&nbsp;the University of Oxford (Covishield), also produced by the Serum Institute of India."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-vaccine-diplomacy-earns-praise-from-south-asian-neighbours-as-chinese-dominance-declines-358380">India's vaccine diplomacy earns praise from South Asian neighbours as Chinese dominance declines</a>

The commercial supply of vaccines to South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Myanmar is expected to commence shortly. Both Myanmar and Bangladesh have contracted 30 million doses of vaccines from India. South African govt earlier this week announced that they will be getting one million doses of Covid-19 vaccine in January and 500,000 doses in February of the Oxford University-Astrazeneca vaccine--Covshield from Pune-based Serum Institute of India.

Commercial supplies begin 7 days after India began its own countrywide vaccination program in which almost 10 lakh Indians have been vaccinated. On Wednesday began gifting made in India vaccines to countries in the region as part of its neighbourhood-first policy. Seven countries are getting vaccines under what is being referred to as New Delhi's "Vaccine diplomacy". These are Bhutan (150,000), Maldives (100,000), Nepal (One million), Bangladesh (2 million), Myanmar (1.5 M), Seychelles (50,000), Mauritius (100,000), the last 3 countries will get on Friday.

Regulatory approvals from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka is awaited even as officials from both sides are in touch for India's vaccine.&nbsp;

And not just vaccine, India is also providing training. For 2 days, from 19th to 20th India trained Healthcare Personnel of 13 countries in administering Covid-19 vaccines. These were Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Bahrain, Brazil, Mauritius, Morocco, Oman, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. The national and provincial- level Government officials, cold chain officials, and partners from WHO and UNICEF participated.

Amid the pandemic, India reaffirmed its position as the pharma capital of the world by supplying medicines such as HCQ and paracetamol to 150 countries. 60% of global vaccines are produced in India, with the World health organization sourcing 70% of its essential immunization vaccine from the country. India is the largest supplier of DPT, BCG and measles vaccines globally.

India has allowed commercial export of Covid-19 vaccines being manufactured in the country from Friday. Brazil and Morocco will be the first two countries that are getting the commercial contracted supplies of 20 lakh doses each with flights leaving at 4.

India has allowed commercial export of Covid-19 vaccines being manufactured in the country from Friday. Brazil and Morocco will be the first two countries that are getting the commercial contracted supplies of 20 lakh doses each with flights leaving at 4.15 am IST and 8 am IST, respectively tomorrow. Remember Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for vaccines. In a letter, he said, "Brazilian government has launched the National Immunization Program against Covid-19" and "Among the vaccines selected by the Brazilian government, are those from the Indian company Bharat Biotech International Limited (Covaxin) and AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford (Covishield), also produced by the Serum Institute of India." Also read | India's vaccine diplomacy earns praise from South Asian neighbours as Chinese dominance declines The commercial supply of vaccines to South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Myanmar is expected to commence shortly. Both Myanmar and Bangladesh have contracted 30 million doses of vaccines from India. South African govt earlier this week announced that they will be getting one million doses of Covid-19 vaccine in January and 500,000 doses in February of the Oxford University-Astrazeneca vaccine--Covshield from Pune-based Serum Institute of India. Commercial supplies begin 7 days after India began its own countrywide vaccination program in which almost 10 lakh Indians have been vaccinated. On Wednesday began gifting made in India vaccines to countries in the region as part of its neighbourhood-first policy. Seven countries are getting vaccines under what is being referred to as New Delhi's "Vaccine diplomacy". These are Bhutan (150,000), Maldives (100,000), Nepal (One million), Bangladesh (2 million), Myanmar (1.5 M), Seychelles (50,000), Mauritius (100,000), the last 3 countries will get on Friday. Regulatory approvals from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka is awaited even as officials from both sides are in touch for India's vaccine. And not just vaccine, India is also providing training. For 2 days, from 19th to 20th India trained Healthcare Personnel of 13 countries in administering Covid-19 vaccines. These were Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Bahrain, Brazil, Mauritius, Morocco, Oman, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. The national and provincial- level Government officials, cold chain officials, and partners from WHO and UNICEF participated. Amid the pandemic, India reaffirmed its position as the pharma capital of the world by supplying medicines such as HCQ and paracetamol to 150 countries. 60% of global vaccines are produced in India, with the World health organization sourcing 70% of its essential immunization vaccine from the country. India is the largest supplier of DPT, BCG and measles vaccines globally.

India allows commercial export of Covid-19 vaccines from Friday; first stop Brazil, Morocco

Israel is now trying to win popular acceptance in the middle east after normalizing ties with United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. The nation is now using social media to further cement ties with the Arab world.

A social media blitzkrieg from Israel

The United States has imposed counterterrorism sanctions through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on five individuals from Iraq, Morocco and Saudi Arabia, the US Department of the Treasury announced in a statement on Tuesday.

The five individuals are Muhammad Abbatay born in Morocco, Isma'il Fu'ad Rasul Ahmed from Iraq, Sultan Yusuf Hasan al-Arif from Saudi Arabia, Fuad Ahmad Nuri Ali al-Shakhan from Saudi Arabia and Niamat Hama Rahim Hama Sharif, orginally from Iraq, the statement said.

US has designated them each as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), according to the US Treasury Department’s website.

US media reported on Monday that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to use newly declassified US intelligence to publicly accuse Iran of ties to al Qaeda in a speech on Tuesday, two people familiar with the matter said, as part of his last-minute offensive against Tehran before handing over to the incoming Biden administration.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States has imposed counterterrorism sanctions through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on five individuals from Iraq, Morocco and Saudi Arabia, the US Department of the Treasury announced in a statement on Tuesday.

The United States has imposed counterterrorism sanctions through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on five individuals from Iraq, Morocco and Saudi Arabia, the US Department of the Treasury announced in a statement on Tuesday. The five individuals are Muhammad Abbatay born in Morocco, Isma'il Fu'ad Rasul Ahmed from Iraq, Sultan Yusuf Hasan al-Arif from Saudi Arabia, Fuad Ahmad Nuri Ali al-Shakhan from Saudi Arabia and Niamat Hama Rahim Hama Sharif, orginally from Iraq, the statement said. US has designated them each as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), according to the US Treasury Department’s website. US media reported on Monday that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to use newly declassified US intelligence to publicly accuse Iran of ties to al Qaeda in a speech on Tuesday, two people familiar with the matter said, as part of his last-minute offensive against Tehran before handing over to the incoming Biden administration. (With inputs from agencies)

US targets 5 individuals from Iraq, Morocco and Saudi Arabia with counter terrorism sanctions: Treasury department

WASHINGTON — For Sudan, agreeing to normalize relations with Israel was the price of removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.

A similar diplomatic deal with Israel sealed Morocco’s demand for the United States to recognize its sovereignty over the Western Sahara region.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-trumps-parting-gifts-to-israel-349171/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

United Arab Emirates officials who wanted to buy stealthy F-35 fighter jets from the United States first had to sign on to the Abraham Accords, the product of President Donald Trump’s campaign to foster stability between Israel and estranged or even hostile Muslim states.

In each case, the incentives that the Trump administration dangled in exchange for the détente could fall through — either rejected by Congress or reversed by the administration of President-elect Joe Biden.

That puts at risk not only the series of regional agreements for rapprochement but also exacerbates a worldview that the United States cannot be depended upon to hold up its end of diplomatic deals.

The Abraham Accords, Trump’s signature foreign policy achievement, have either newly brokered or restarted economic and political ties for Israel with Bahrain, the UAE, Sudan and Morocco. Officials familiar with the administration’s efforts said Oman and Tunisia might be the next states to join, and the warming could be expanded to nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa even after Trump leaves office in January.

Formally easing tensions between Israel and its regional neighbors is a success, to be sure, that past Republican and Democratic presidents alike have long sought to foment.

“All diplomacy is transactional, but these transactions are mixing things that ought not to have been mixed,” said Robert Malley, president and chief executive of the International Crisis Group, who is close to Antony Blinken, Biden’s pick for secretary of state.

Malley predicted that the incoming Biden administration would try to walk back or dilute parts of the normalization deals that defy international norms, as in the case of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, or otherwise challenge long-standing U.S. policy, like the F-35 sales to the UAE.

Congress has also shown alarm at the deal-making.

The Senate last week narrowly accepted the UAE’s purchase of the stealth jets, drones and other precision weapons, signaling concern over expanded arms deals to the Persian Gulf. That could be reversed if Democrats take control of the chamber after runoff elections in Georgia next month; regardless, the move will be reviewed by the Biden administration to ensure that the $23 billion sale to the UAE does not dull Israel’s military edge in the region.

A day after the Senate vote, the Republican chair of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, said it was “shocking and disappointing” that the Trump administration had decided to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara and predicted that it would be reversed. The United Nations, the European Union and the African Union all view the Western Sahara as disputed territory.

“I am saddened that the rights of the Western Saharan people have been traded away,” Inhofe said in a statement. “The president has been poorly advised by his team; he could have made this deal without trading the rights of a voiceless people.”

Saad Eddine el-Othmani, Morocco’s prime minister, said Tuesday that his government “didn’t want it to be an exchange.”

“We don’t bargain with the Sahara,” Othmani said in an interview with Al-Jazeera. “But the victory in this battle required the concomitance.”

Nowhere has the diplomatic deal proven more delicate than for Sudan.

A seemingly unrelated issue — immunity in U.S. courts from terrorism lawsuits — was indirectly tied to a condition of Sudan reluctantly signing on to the peace accords with Israel in October.

The State Department had already decided to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in exchange for the country compensating victims of the 1998 bombings against U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. As part of those negotiations, Sudan’s transitional government had demanded the dismissal of all other terrorism lawsuits that it faced from attacks carried out in the 27 years it was on the list.

The State Department agreed and countered last summer with a condition of its own: that Sudan begin to thaw a half-century of hostilities with Israel.

Only Congress, however, can grant Sudan the legal peace it seeks. Over the past several months, lawmakers have been deadlocked over doing so, given that it would deny families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks their day in court.

“We have always wanted all terrorists to be held accountable for their acts on 9/11,” Kristen Breitweiser, a lawyer whose husband was killed in the attacks on New York, said in a statement issued last week during furious negotiating in Congress.

Sudan insists it is not liable for the 9/11 attacks, given that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden left his sanctuary in the country five years before they were carried out. But the congressional compromise that was hammered out, according to officials and others close to the negotiations, allows the 9/11 lawsuits to continue, potentially making Sudan liable for billions of dollars in victims’ compensation.

Representatives for the Sudanese Embassy in Washington declined to comment but have previously said the country might exit the peace accords with Israel if it is not given immunity from the terrorism lawsuits. As the Trump administration tries to keep the deal from falling apart, an official confirmed a Bloomberg report that the United States had offered Sudan a $1 billion loan to help clear its arrears and obtain as much as $1.5 billion in annual development assistance. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is expected to visit Sudan, Israel and the UAE in a high-level delegation to the region next month.

Bahrain appears to be a lone exception among the countries that were offered incentives as part of normalization agreements with Israel, although this week the State Department designated the Iranian-linked Saraya al-Mukhtar as a terrorist group, in part for its goal to overthrow the tiny Sunni monarchy.

That has also fueled concern among current and former government officials and conflict analysts that the United States will designate Houthi rebels in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization, in part to convince Saudi Arabia to sign on to the accords with Israel.

Officials close to the decision said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was inclined to issue the designation to cut off Iran’s support of the Houthis, who have seized control of most of Yemen, ousted its government and attacked neighboring Saudi Arabia in their five-year border war. It could also prohibit the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen’s major ports — most of which are controlled by the Houthis — and, in turn, exacerbate a famine in one of the world’s poorest countries.

It is doubtful, however, that the terrorism designation alone would persuade Saudi Arabia — the most powerful monarchy in the Middle East — to normalize relations with Israel. That thaw could take years, if it happens at all, and by then might be driven more by a rising number of young adults in the kingdom who are more concerned with jobs and economic stability at home than a generations-old conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Nikki Haley, who was Trump’s first ambassador to the United Nations, said a secretive trip that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel made to Saudi Arabia last month to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was a bold signal of the détente.

“These Arab countries want to be friends with Israel,” Haley told the Israeli-based DiploTech Global Summit on Wednesday.

Even if they disapprove of Trump’s transactional diplomacy, Biden and Blinken will also be wary of appearing to back away from Israel, which is the strongest U.S. ally in the Middle East and holds considerable political sway over U.S. evangelical and Jewish voters.

“I think President-elect Biden will try to continue with the momentum because it’s beneficial for the U.S., it’s beneficial for the allies of the U.S., and I think that will be the right thing to do,” said Danny Danon, who retired this year as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations.

WASHINGTON — For Sudan, agreeing to normalize relations with Israel was the price of removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. A similar diplomatic deal with Israel sealed Morocco’s demand for the United States to recognize its sovereignty over the Western Sahara region.

WASHINGTON — For Sudan, agreeing to normalize relations with Israel was the price of removal from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. A similar diplomatic deal with Israel sealed Morocco’s demand for the United States to recognize its sovereignty over the Western Sahara region. Watch | United Arab Emirates officials who wanted to buy stealthy F-35 fighter jets from the United States first had to sign on to the Abraham Accords, the product of President Donald Trump’s campaign to foster stability between Israel and estranged or even hostile Muslim states. In each case, the incentives that the Trump administration dangled in exchange for the détente could fall through — either rejected by Congress or reversed by the administration of President-elect Joe Biden. That puts at risk not only the series of regional agreements for rapprochement but also exacerbates a worldview that the United States cannot be depended upon to hold up its end of diplomatic deals. The Abraham Accords, Trump’s signature foreign policy achievement, have either newly brokered or restarted economic and political ties for Israel with Bahrain, the UAE, Sudan and Morocco. Officials familiar with the administration’s efforts said Oman and Tunisia might be the next states to join, and the warming could be expanded to nations in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa even after Trump leaves office in January. Formally easing tensions between Israel and its regional neighbors is a success, to be sure, that past Republican and Democratic presidents alike have long sought to foment. “All diplomacy is transactional, but these transactions are mixing things that ought not to have been mixed,” said Robert Malley, president and chief executive of the International Crisis Group, who is close to Antony Blinken, Biden’s pick for secretary of state. Malley predicted that the incoming Biden administration would try to walk back or dilute parts of the normalization deals that defy international norms, as in the case of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara, or otherwise challenge long-standing U.S. policy, like the F-35 sales to the UAE. Congress has also shown alarm at the deal-making. The Senate last week narrowly accepted the UAE’s purchase of the stealth jets, drones and other precision weapons, signaling concern over expanded arms deals to the Persian Gulf. That could be reversed if Democrats take control of the chamber after runoff elections in Georgia next month; regardless, the move will be reviewed by the Biden administration to ensure that the $23 billion sale to the UAE does not dull Israel’s military edge in the region. A day after the Senate vote, the Republican chair of the Armed Services Committee, Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, said it was “shocking and disappointing” that the Trump administration had decided to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara and predicted that it would be reversed. The United Nations, the European Union and the African Union all view the Western Sahara as disputed territory. “I am saddened that the rights of the Western Saharan people have been traded away,” Inhofe said in a statement. “The president has been poorly advised by his team; he could have made this deal without trading the rights of a voiceless people.” Saad Eddine el-Othmani, Morocco’s prime minister, said Tuesday that his government “didn’t want it to be an exchange.” “We don’t bargain with the Sahara,” Othmani said in an interview with Al-Jazeera. “But the victory in this battle required the concomitance.” Nowhere has the diplomatic deal proven more delicate than for Sudan. A seemingly unrelated issue — immunity in U.S. courts from terrorism lawsuits — was indirectly tied to a condition of Sudan reluctantly signing on to the peace accords with Israel in October. The State Department had already decided to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism in exchange for the country compensating victims of the 1998 bombings against U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. As part of those negotiations, Sudan’s transitional government had demanded the dismissal of all other terrorism lawsuits that it faced from attacks carried out in the 27 years it was on the list. The State Department agreed and countered last summer with a condition of its own: that Sudan begin to thaw a half-century of hostilities with Israel. Only Congress, however, can grant Sudan the legal peace it seeks. Over the past several months, lawmakers have been deadlocked over doing so, given that it would deny families of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks their day in court. “We have always wanted all terrorists to be held accountable for their acts on 9/11,” Kristen Breitweiser, a lawyer whose husband was killed in the attacks on New York, said in a statement issued last week during furious negotiating in Congress. Sudan insists it is not liable for the 9/11 attacks, given that al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden left his sanctuary in the country five years before they were carried out. But the congressional compromise that was hammered out, according to officials and others close to the negotiations, allows the 9/11 lawsuits to continue, potentially making Sudan liable for billions of dollars in victims’ compensation. Representatives for the Sudanese Embassy in Washington declined to comment but have previously said the country might exit the peace accords with Israel if it is not given immunity from the terrorism lawsuits. As the Trump administration tries to keep the deal from falling apart, an official confirmed a Bloomberg report that the United States had offered Sudan a $1 billion loan to help clear its arrears and obtain as much as $1.5 billion in annual development assistance. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is expected to visit Sudan, Israel and the UAE in a high-level delegation to the region next month. Bahrain appears to be a lone exception among the countries that were offered incentives as part of normalization agreements with Israel, although this week the State Department designated the Iranian-linked Saraya al-Mukhtar as a terrorist group, in part for its goal to overthrow the tiny Sunni monarchy. That has also fueled concern among current and former government officials and conflict analysts that the United States will designate Houthi rebels in Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization, in part to convince Saudi Arabia to sign on to the accords with Israel. Officials close to the decision said that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was inclined to issue the designation to cut off Iran’s support of the Houthis, who have seized control of most of Yemen, ousted its government and attacked neighboring Saudi Arabia in their five-year border war. It could also prohibit the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen’s major ports — most of which are controlled by the Houthis — and, in turn, exacerbate a famine in one of the world’s poorest countries. It is doubtful, however, that the terrorism designation alone would persuade Saudi Arabia — the most powerful monarchy in the Middle East — to normalize relations with Israel. That thaw could take years, if it happens at all, and by then might be driven more by a rising number of young adults in the kingdom who are more concerned with jobs and economic stability at home than a generations-old conflict between Israel and Palestine. Nikki Haley, who was Trump’s first ambassador to the United Nations, said a secretive trip that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel made to Saudi Arabia last month to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was a bold signal of the détente. “These Arab countries want to be friends with Israel,” Haley told the Israeli-based DiploTech Global Summit on Wednesday. Even if they disapprove of Trump’s transactional diplomacy, Biden and Blinken will also be wary of appearing to back away from Israel, which is the strongest U.S. ally in the Middle East and holds considerable political sway over U.S. evangelical and Jewish voters. “I think President-elect Biden will try to continue with the momentum because it’s beneficial for the U.S., it’s beneficial for the allies of the U.S., and I think that will be the right thing to do,” said Danny Danon, who retired this year as Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations.

Trump incentives for signing peace accords with Israel could be at risk

Morocco has become the 4th Arab country to normalise ties with Israel in the last 5 months. The deal comes after U.S. recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the Saharan region. WION's Palki Sharma discusses these developments with Moroccan Ambassador to India Mohamed Maliki.

Gravitas: Moroccan Ambassador to India speaks to WION

Morocco has become the 4th Arab country to normalise ties with Israel in the last 5 months. The deal comes after U.S. recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the Saharan region.

Morocco on Thursday became the fourth Arab state this year, after the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, to announce it had agreed to normalise relations with Israel.

WION Dispatch: US adopts map of Morocco that includes disputed Western Sahara

In an interesting comment, Morocco's foreign minister said on Sunday that the country's ties with Israel were 'already normal' before diplomatic relations were normalised recently.

Morocco on Thursday announced a "resumption of relations" with Israel, shortly after US President Donald Trump tweeted that Rabat and the Jewish state had "agreed to full diplomatic relations". &nbsp;

Morocco had closed its liaison office in Tel Aviv in 2000 when second Palestinian uprising started.

Morocco's announcement is widely seen as making it the fourth Arab country this year to unveil plans to normalise ties with Israel through a US-brokered deal, following the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan.&nbsp;

But in an interview with Israel's Yediot Ahronot newspaper published Sunday, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said, "Israel's relations with Morocco are special and can't be compared to the relations that Israel has with any other Arab country."&nbsp;

"From our perspective, we aren't talking about normalisation because relations were already normal," Bourita was quoted as saying by the paper. &nbsp;

"We're talking about (re-formalising) the relations between the countries to the relations we had, because there have been relations the entire time. They never stopped," he added.&nbsp;

A palace statement last week said King Mohammed VI had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel with "minimal delay".

That followed Trump's recognition of Morocco's contested sovereignty in Western Sahara, infuriating the Algerian-backed Polisario Front, which controls about one-fifth of the vast, arid region.&nbsp;

Bourita, in the interview, highlighted Morocco's enduring connection to Israel through its domestic Jewish community and the estimated 700,000 Israeli Jews of Moroccan descent.&nbsp;

"Morocco has an important history with the Jewish community, a history that is special in the Arab world," he told the paper.

(With AFP inputs)

In an interesting comment, Morocco's foreign minister said on Sunday that the country's ties with Israel were 'already normal' before diplomatic relations were normalised recently.

In an interesting comment, Morocco's foreign minister said on Sunday that the country's ties with Israel were 'already normal' before diplomatic relations were normalised recently. Morocco on Thursday announced a "resumption of relations" with Israel, shortly after US President Donald Trump tweeted that Rabat and the Jewish state had "agreed to full diplomatic relations". Morocco had closed its liaison office in Tel Aviv in 2000 when second Palestinian uprising started. Morocco's announcement is widely seen as making it the fourth Arab country this year to unveil plans to normalise ties with Israel through a US-brokered deal, following the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan. But in an interview with Israel's Yediot Ahronot newspaper published Sunday, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said, "Israel's relations with Morocco are special and can't be compared to the relations that Israel has with any other Arab country." "From our perspective, we aren't talking about normalisation because relations were already normal," Bourita was quoted as saying by the paper. "We're talking about (re-formalising) the relations between the countries to the relations we had, because there have been relations the entire time. They never stopped," he added. A palace statement last week said King Mohammed VI had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel with "minimal delay". That followed Trump's recognition of Morocco's contested sovereignty in Western Sahara, infuriating the Algerian-backed Polisario Front, which controls about one-fifth of the vast, arid region. Bourita, in the interview, highlighted Morocco's enduring connection to Israel through its domestic Jewish community and the estimated 700,000 Israeli Jews of Moroccan descent. "Morocco has an important history with the Jewish community, a history that is special in the Arab world," he told the paper. (With AFP inputs)

Ties with Israel were 'already normal', says Morocco

Behind the announcement Thursday that Israel and Morocco will establish their first formal diplomatic ties, there lies almost six decades of close, secret cooperation on intelligence and military matters between two nations that officially did not acknowledge each other.

Watch |&nbsp;

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Israel has helped Morocco obtain weapons and intelligence-gathering gear and learn how to use them, and helped it assassinate an opposition leader. Morocco has helped Israel take in Moroccan Jews, mount an operation against Osama bin Laden — and even spy on other Arab countries.

The collaboration — uncovered in an array of interviews conducted and documents unearthed over many years — reflects a longstanding Israeli policy of building covert ties to Arab regimes where common interests — and enemies — could be found. In particular, Israel pursued a so-called periphery strategy, reaching out to more distant states that were far removed from the Israeli-Arab territorial dispute or that had hostile relations with Israel’s own enemies.

The Moroccan-Israeli relationship stemmed in part from the large number of Jews in Morocco before the birth of Israel in 1948, many of whom would migrate there, making up one of the largest parts of Israel’s population. Some 1 million Israelis are from Morocco or descended from those who were, ensuring a deep, abiding interest in that country more than 2,000 miles away.

When Morocco gained independence from France in 1956, it banned Jewish emigration. Israel’s spy agency, Mossad, smuggled out many Jews, but the operation was exposed in 1961, when a Mossad ship carrying such migrants sank, killing most of those aboard.

The next month, a new Moroccan king, Hassan II, took power, and Israel made a highly successful effort to cultivate him. Israeli agents met with the Moroccan opposition leader, Mehdi Ben Barka, who asked for help overthrowing the king; instead, the Israelis told Hassan of the plot.

The king permitted mass emigration of Jews and allowed Mossad to establish a station in Morocco. Israel provided weapons and trained Moroccans in using them; it supplied surveillance technology and helped organize the Moroccan intelligence service; and the two shared information gathered by their spies — the start of decades of such cooperation.

A crucial moment came in 1965, when Arab leaders and military commanders met in Casablanca, and Morocco allowed Mossad to bug their meeting rooms and private suites. The eavesdropping gave Israel unprecedented insight into Arab thinking, capabilities and plans, which turned out to be vital to Mossad and the Israel Defense Forces in preparing for the 1967 war.

“These recordings, which were truly an extraordinary intelligence achievement, established our feeling, of the top IDF, that we will win the war against Egypt,” Gen. Shlomo Gazit, who later become the chief of military intelligence, said in a 2016 interview.

Shortly after that intelligence coup, at the request of Moroccan intelligence, Mossad located Ben Barka, the opposition leader, and helped lure him to Paris. There, Moroccans and allied Frenchmen abducted him. He was tortured to death, and Mossad agents disposed of the body, which was never found.

A decade later, Hassan and his government became the back channel between Israel and Egypt, and Morocco became the site of secret meetings between their officials, ahead of the 1978 Camp David accords and normalization of relations between the former enemies. Israel later helped persuade the United States to provide military assistance to Morocco.

In 1995, Moroccan intelligence joined in an ultimately unsuccessful Mossad plan to recruit Osama bin Laden’s secretary, to find and kill the leader of al-Qaida, according to a former Mossad official who was a partner in that planning, and who asked not to be named when discussing intelligence operations.

For years, Hassan II’s successor, King Muhammad VI, has sought Israel’s help in winning American acquiescence to Morocco’s annexation of Western Sahara, which finally came to fruition in Thursday’s announcement. Since 2006, Serge Bardugo, a leader of the small Jewish community remaining in Morocco, has been the king’s ambassador in that effort, meeting with Israeli officials and American Jewish leaders.

Occasionally these meetings were attended by Yassin Mansuri, a longtime friend of the king’s who heads Morocco’s external intelligence agency. Mansuri, in turn, met directly with his Israeli counterpart, Yossi Cohen, the chief of Mossad, conducting some of the negotiations that led to the agreement to normalize relations.

Behind the announcement Thursday that Israel and Morocco will establish their first formal diplomatic ties, there lies almost six decades of close, secret cooperation on intelligence and military matters between two nations that officially did not acknowledge each other.

Behind the announcement Thursday that Israel and Morocco will establish their first formal diplomatic ties, there lies almost six decades of close, secret cooperation on intelligence and military matters between two nations that officially did not acknowledge each other. Watch | Israel has helped Morocco obtain weapons and intelligence-gathering gear and learn how to use them, and helped it assassinate an opposition leader. Morocco has helped Israel take in Moroccan Jews, mount an operation against Osama bin Laden — and even spy on other Arab countries. The collaboration — uncovered in an array of interviews conducted and documents unearthed over many years — reflects a longstanding Israeli policy of building covert ties to Arab regimes where common interests — and enemies — could be found. In particular, Israel pursued a so-called periphery strategy, reaching out to more distant states that were far removed from the Israeli-Arab territorial dispute or that had hostile relations with Israel’s own enemies. The Moroccan-Israeli relationship stemmed in part from the large number of Jews in Morocco before the birth of Israel in 1948, many of whom would migrate there, making up one of the largest parts of Israel’s population. Some 1 million Israelis are from Morocco or descended from those who were, ensuring a deep, abiding interest in that country more than 2,000 miles away. When Morocco gained independence from France in 1956, it banned Jewish emigration. Israel’s spy agency, Mossad, smuggled out many Jews, but the operation was exposed in 1961, when a Mossad ship carrying such migrants sank, killing most of those aboard. The next month, a new Moroccan king, Hassan II, took power, and Israel made a highly successful effort to cultivate him. Israeli agents met with the Moroccan opposition leader, Mehdi Ben Barka, who asked for help overthrowing the king; instead, the Israelis told Hassan of the plot. The king permitted mass emigration of Jews and allowed Mossad to establish a station in Morocco. Israel provided weapons and trained Moroccans in using them; it supplied surveillance technology and helped organize the Moroccan intelligence service; and the two shared information gathered by their spies — the start of decades of such cooperation. A crucial moment came in 1965, when Arab leaders and military commanders met in Casablanca, and Morocco allowed Mossad to bug their meeting rooms and private suites. The eavesdropping gave Israel unprecedented insight into Arab thinking, capabilities and plans, which turned out to be vital to Mossad and the Israel Defense Forces in preparing for the 1967 war. “These recordings, which were truly an extraordinary intelligence achievement, established our feeling, of the top IDF, that we will win the war against Egypt,” Gen. Shlomo Gazit, who later become the chief of military intelligence, said in a 2016 interview. Shortly after that intelligence coup, at the request of Moroccan intelligence, Mossad located Ben Barka, the opposition leader, and helped lure him to Paris. There, Moroccans and allied Frenchmen abducted him. He was tortured to death, and Mossad agents disposed of the body, which was never found. A decade later, Hassan and his government became the back channel between Israel and Egypt, and Morocco became the site of secret meetings between their officials, ahead of the 1978 Camp David accords and normalization of relations between the former enemies. Israel later helped persuade the United States to provide military assistance to Morocco. In 1995, Moroccan intelligence joined in an ultimately unsuccessful Mossad plan to recruit Osama bin Laden’s secretary, to find and kill the leader of al-Qaida, according to a former Mossad official who was a partner in that planning, and who asked not to be named when discussing intelligence operations. For years, Hassan II’s successor, King Muhammad VI, has sought Israel’s help in winning American acquiescence to Morocco’s annexation of Western Sahara, which finally came to fruition in Thursday’s announcement. Since 2006, Serge Bardugo, a leader of the small Jewish community remaining in Morocco, has been the king’s ambassador in that effort, meeting with Israeli officials and American Jewish leaders. Occasionally these meetings were attended by Yassin Mansuri, a longtime friend of the king’s who heads Morocco’s external intelligence agency. Mansuri, in turn, met directly with his Israeli counterpart, Yossi Cohen, the chief of Mossad, conducting some of the negotiations that led to the agreement to normalize relations.

Israel-Morocco deal follows history of cooperation on arms and spying

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (December 10) welcomed President Donald Trump's announcement of a normalization deal between Israel and Morocco as a "historic peace between us."

US brokers deal establishing ties between Israel and Morocco

Morocco has agreed to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the fourth Arab nation this year to recognise the Jewish state under a deal brokered by the US, according to the White House.

US President Donald Trump spoke to Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Thursday and reaffirmed his country's support to Morocco's 'realistic autonomy proposal' for sovereignty over the Western Sahara region.

King Mohammed VI agreed to resume diplomatic ties between his kingdom and Israel to expand economic and cultural cooperation, which would advance regional stability, the White House said on Thursday.

Trump reiterated that he, as president, recognised the Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory. The Polisario Front -- a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement -- and the Kingdom of Morocco claim sovereignty over the Western Sahara territory.

The US-Morocco friendship is rooted in our shared belief in the promise of peace, stability and economic opportunity, and has endured since Morocco became the first country to recognise the United States in 1777, the White House said in a readout of the conversation between the two leaders.

'The President reaffirmed his support for Morocco's serious, credible and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory and as such the President recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory,” it said.

They also discussed cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, including ways to minimise its economic impact. They also spoke on critical regional issues of common interest, the White House said.

Morocco has now become the fourth Arab nation to resume ties with Israel. The development comes as the US is expanding the number of countries under the “Abraham Accords”, as part of which the United Arab Emirates and Israel resumed bilateral ties earlier in the year, with a series of trade and technology pacts.

Bahrain and Sudan have followed the UAE, becoming the second and third Arab countries respectively to resume ties with Israel.

Trump’s Special Advisor and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, during a conference call with reporters on Thursday, said that “this is the fourth peace agreement that President Trump and his administration have been able to broker in the last four months. This comes on the heels of four years of very, very hard work and very intense diplomacy that has occurred”.

As part of this deal, Morocco will establish full diplomatic relations and resume official contacts with Israel. It will grant overflights and direct flights to and from Israel for all Israelis, he said.

The two countries will reopen the liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv immediately, with the intention to open the embassies in the near future. They'll be promoting economic cooperation between Israeli and Moroccan companies.

Describing this as a great part of the President's efforts towards bringing peace and stability and understanding in the world, Kushner said that this is a great success that the Abraham Accords have had so far.

“People are seeing the nonstop visitation between Israelis and Arabs and Muslims throughout the world -- going to each other's countries, whether it's going to Dubai or Abu Dhabi or Tel Aviv,” he said.

Kushner said that bringing Jews and Muslims and Christians together has been a core focus of the President's efforts.

“That's why he did his first trip to Saudi Arabia, the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; and then Israel; and then Rome, to the Vatican. And that's been a real effort of his,” he said.

“If you look back at the last four years when the President came into power, Iran was greatly empowered. You know, they'd just done the terrible JCPOA deal, ISIS was running rampant, all of America's allies in the region felt very alienated, and obviously, there'd been a lot of issues that had to be dealt with.

“Now we have peace sprouting in the Middle East. You know, President Trump took a contrarian approach -- one that was different than not just Democrat but also Republican administrations. Just a different approach than the experts had been taking in the region. And the fruits of these efforts have become very apparent, but we also believe that there is a lot more fruits to come in the short, medium and long term,” he said.

Senator Lindsey Graham congratulated Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Moroccan Prime Minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani on the historic achievement.

'It is a win-win-win for Israel, Morocco, and the United States,” Graham said.

Senator Mike Lee said that this agreement, along with the Abraham Accords, “demonstrates that we are truly living in a historic time for Middle Eastern relations with the West”.

Congressman Eliot L Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, welcomed the news.

“At the same time, I am concerned this announcement upends a credible, internationally supported UN process to address the territorial dispute over Western Sahara, which successive administrations of both parties have supported. Casting aside legitimate multilateral avenues of conflict resolution only empowers countries like Russia and China to continue trampling on international rules and norms and rewards those who violate borders and the rights of free peoples,” Engel said.

Senator James Lankford commended both the nations for taking this step and encouraged other nations to open diplomatic ties with Israel.

Morocco has agreed to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the fourth Arab nation this year to recognise the Jewish state under a deal brokered by the US, according to the White House.

Morocco has agreed to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the fourth Arab nation this year to recognise the Jewish state under a deal brokered by the US, according to the White House. US President Donald Trump spoke to Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Thursday and reaffirmed his country's support to Morocco's 'realistic autonomy proposal' for sovereignty over the Western Sahara region. King Mohammed VI agreed to resume diplomatic ties between his kingdom and Israel to expand economic and cultural cooperation, which would advance regional stability, the White House said on Thursday. Trump reiterated that he, as president, recognised the Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory. The Polisario Front -- a Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement -- and the Kingdom of Morocco claim sovereignty over the Western Sahara territory. The US-Morocco friendship is rooted in our shared belief in the promise of peace, stability and economic opportunity, and has endured since Morocco became the first country to recognise the United States in 1777, the White House said in a readout of the conversation between the two leaders. 'The President reaffirmed his support for Morocco's serious, credible and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory and as such the President recognised Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory,” it said. They also discussed cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, including ways to minimise its economic impact. They also spoke on critical regional issues of common interest, the White House said. Morocco has now become the fourth Arab nation to resume ties with Israel. The development comes as the US is expanding the number of countries under the “Abraham Accords”, as part of which the United Arab Emirates and Israel resumed bilateral ties earlier in the year, with a series of trade and technology pacts. Bahrain and Sudan have followed the UAE, becoming the second and third Arab countries respectively to resume ties with Israel. Trump’s Special Advisor and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, during a conference call with reporters on Thursday, said that “this is the fourth peace agreement that President Trump and his administration have been able to broker in the last four months. This comes on the heels of four years of very, very hard work and very intense diplomacy that has occurred”. As part of this deal, Morocco will establish full diplomatic relations and resume official contacts with Israel. It will grant overflights and direct flights to and from Israel for all Israelis, he said. The two countries will reopen the liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv immediately, with the intention to open the embassies in the near future. They'll be promoting economic cooperation between Israeli and Moroccan companies. Describing this as a great part of the President's efforts towards bringing peace and stability and understanding in the world, Kushner said that this is a great success that the Abraham Accords have had so far. “People are seeing the nonstop visitation between Israelis and Arabs and Muslims throughout the world -- going to each other's countries, whether it's going to Dubai or Abu Dhabi or Tel Aviv,” he said. Kushner said that bringing Jews and Muslims and Christians together has been a core focus of the President's efforts. “That's why he did his first trip to Saudi Arabia, the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques; and then Israel; and then Rome, to the Vatican. And that's been a real effort of his,” he said. “If you look back at the last four years when the President came into power, Iran was greatly empowered. You know, they'd just done the terrible JCPOA deal, ISIS was running rampant, all of America's allies in the region felt very alienated, and obviously, there'd been a lot of issues that had to be dealt with. “Now we have peace sprouting in the Middle East. You know, President Trump took a contrarian approach -- one that was different than not just Democrat but also Republican administrations. Just a different approach than the experts had been taking in the region. And the fruits of these efforts have become very apparent, but we also believe that there is a lot more fruits to come in the short, medium and long term,” he said. Senator Lindsey Graham congratulated Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Moroccan Prime Minister Saad-Eddine El Othmani on the historic achievement. 'It is a win-win-win for Israel, Morocco, and the United States,” Graham said. Senator Mike Lee said that this agreement, along with the Abraham Accords, “demonstrates that we are truly living in a historic time for Middle Eastern relations with the West”. Congressman Eliot L Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, welcomed the news. “At the same time, I am concerned this announcement upends a credible, internationally supported UN process to address the territorial dispute over Western Sahara, which successive administrations of both parties have supported. Casting aside legitimate multilateral avenues of conflict resolution only empowers countries like Russia and China to continue trampling on international rules and norms and rewards those who violate borders and the rights of free peoples,” Engel said. Senator James Lankford commended both the nations for taking this step and encouraged other nations to open diplomatic ties with Israel.

Morocco to normalise ties with Israel; US recognises kingdom's claim of sovereignty over West Sahara

The leader of the Western Sahara's independence movement has vowed to end a 29-year-old ceasefire with Morocco. He has cited provocation in the form of recent Moroccan border operations as the reason for this.

Morocco and the Polisario Front fought over the territory after Spain gave up the rule in 1976 and Mauritania withdrew their claim of control in 1979.

Brahim Ghali, leader of the independentist Polisario Front, Saturday announced the group would no longer abide by the commitment of the decades-long truce in the area.

According to Sahara Press Service, the group's news agency, Morocco announced last week that it would resume military operations in the El Guergarat crossing, a buffer zone between the territory claimed by the state of Morocco and the self-declared Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. It, however, had said it continues to support the ceasefire.

By launching the operation, Morocco "seriously undermined not only the ceasefire and related military agreements but also any chances of achieving a peaceful and lasting solution to the decolonization question of the Western Sahara," Ghali said in a letter to the UN.

The Western Sahara is a long-disputed territory to the southwest of Morocco controlled mostly by the Moroccan state, which occupies about 75% of the territory.

The Sahara Press Service said on Saturday that the Polisario Front also launched attacks against the Royal Moroccan Army in the Western Sahara.

The UN, which maintains a peacekeeping mission in the Western Sahara, MINURSO, said it made attempts to convince all parties to avoid an escalation of hostilities and preserve the ceasefire but was unsuccessful.

The leader of the Western Sahara's independence movement has vowed to end a 29-year-old ceasefire with Morocco. He has cited provocation in the form of recent Moroccan border operations as the reason for this.

The leader of the Western Sahara's independence movement has vowed to end a 29-year-old ceasefire with Morocco. He has cited provocation in the form of recent Moroccan border operations as the reason for this. Morocco and the Polisario Front fought over the territory after Spain gave up the rule in 1976 and Mauritania withdrew their claim of control in 1979. Brahim Ghali, leader of the independentist Polisario Front, Saturday announced the group would no longer abide by the commitment of the decades-long truce in the area. According to Sahara Press Service, the group's news agency, Morocco announced last week that it would resume military operations in the El Guergarat crossing, a buffer zone between the territory claimed by the state of Morocco and the self-declared Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. It, however, had said it continues to support the ceasefire. By launching the operation, Morocco "seriously undermined not only the ceasefire and related military agreements but also any chances of achieving a peaceful and lasting solution to the decolonization question of the Western Sahara," Ghali said in a letter to the UN. The Western Sahara is a long-disputed territory to the southwest of Morocco controlled mostly by the Moroccan state, which occupies about 75% of the territory. The Sahara Press Service said on Saturday that the Polisario Front also launched attacks against the Royal Moroccan Army in the Western Sahara. The UN, which maintains a peacekeeping mission in the Western Sahara, MINURSO, said it made attempts to convince all parties to avoid an escalation of hostilities and preserve the ceasefire but was unsuccessful.

Western Sahara independence leader declares end of 29-year-old ceasefire with Morocco

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Hundreds of Moroccan protesters expressed their displeasure&nbsp;against the peace deal that established ties between Israel and UAE, Bahrain. The protesters held demonstrations outside Moroccan Parliament in capital Rabat and even burnt a mock Israeli flag. They decried the "Arab normalisation" of ties with Israel.

Though UAE and Bahrain's peace deal (Abraham Accords) with Israel is believed to have been struck with Iran in mind, many in the Arab world have taken it to be a step against Palestinian interests.

Protesters in Morocco on Saturday criticised the "treacherous countries" and "their American and Zionist allies".

"We demand the criminalisation of any normalisation" with Israel, demonstrators shouted.

The step taken by UAE and Bahrain broke decades-long consensus among Arab countries that they would not establish relation with Israel until it had made peace with Palestinians.

Before the deals, the only Arab countries to establish relations with Israel were Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

Interestingly, Morocco itself is widely believed to be the country next in line to normalise ties with Israel. Morocco is a strong US ally and already has trade and tourism relations with Israel. Morocco soldiers never fought on ground with Israel during the Arab-Isreali wars between 1948 and 1973. In fact, it is said that Moroccan intelligence aided Israel during 1967 war. 
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Hundreds of Moroccan protesters expressed their displeasure against the peace deal that established ties between Israel and UAE, Bahrain. The protesters held demonstrations outside Moroccan Parliament in capital Rabat and even burnt a mock Israeli flag.

Hundreds of Moroccan protesters expressed their displeasure against the peace deal that established ties between Israel and UAE, Bahrain. The protesters held demonstrations outside Moroccan Parliament in capital Rabat and even burnt a mock Israeli flag. They decried the "Arab normalisation" of ties with Israel. Though UAE and Bahrain's peace deal (Abraham Accords) with Israel is believed to have been struck with Iran in mind, many in the Arab world have taken it to be a step against Palestinian interests. Protesters in Morocco on Saturday criticised the "treacherous countries" and "their American and Zionist allies". "We demand the criminalisation of any normalisation" with Israel, demonstrators shouted. The step taken by UAE and Bahrain broke decades-long consensus among Arab countries that they would not establish relation with Israel until it had made peace with Palestinians. Before the deals, the only Arab countries to establish relations with Israel were Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Interestingly, Morocco itself is widely believed to be the country next in line to normalise ties with Israel. Morocco is a strong US ally and already has trade and tourism relations with Israel. Morocco soldiers never fought on ground with Israel during the Arab-Isreali wars between 1948 and 1973. In fact, it is said that Moroccan intelligence aided Israel during 1967 war.

Protest in Morocco against UAE and Bahrain's peace deal with Israel

Morocco declared a state of health emergency in mid-March and shut its borders to stop coronavirus from spreading.

Morocco's Marrakesh suffocates without tourists amid COVID-19 pandemic

Hezbollah said on Saturday that it strongly condemned Bahrain's move of normalisation of ties with Israel. On Friday, Bahrain and Isreal said in a joint statement that they were establishing full diplomatic relations with each other.&nbsp;

Both countries issued a joint statement to this effect along with the US. By taking the step, Bahrain joined UAE in establishing diplomatic contact with Israeal.Media reports say that UAE and Bahrain went ahead to normalise ties with Israel out of shared fears of Iran but this could also leave the Palestinians further isolated.

Hezbollah has often spoken of "Israeli expansionist trends" in Palestine. Hezbollah had criticised Israel-UAE deal as well.

Bahrain was widely expected to be among the next Arab countries that would be eager to normalise relations with Israel. After the Arab Spring, Bahrain's monarchy was seen to be swinging away from pan-Islamic and pan-Arabism. Bahrain relies on its good relations with the USA.What's more? Bahrain also hosts US Navy's 5th fleet in the Persian Gulf.

Also Read | <a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/palestinians-rally-against-bahrain-israel-normalisation-327084">Palestinians rally against Bahrain-Israel normalisation</a> 
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Bahrain had never been directly at war with Israel. It already used Israeli technology and had recognised Israel's "right to exist" two years ago.

Who's next to be friends with Israel?

Oman and Morocco are widely believed to follow UAE and Bahrain to improve relations with Israel although there is no official confirmation as of now.

Morocco is a strong US ally and already has trade and tourism relations with Israel. It does not recognise Israel as a state currently but that picture may change.

Oman is a US ally and depends on it for its external security. Though Oman supports formation of a Palestinian State, it has not had overt or covert conflict with Israel. Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu had even visited Oman in the year 2018.

Hezbollah said on Saturday that it strongly condemned Bahrain's move of normalisation of ties with Israel. On Friday, Bahrain and Isreal said in a joint statement that they were establishing full diplomatic relations with each other.

Hezbollah said on Saturday that it strongly condemned Bahrain's move of normalisation of ties with Israel. On Friday, Bahrain and Isreal said in a joint statement that they were establishing full diplomatic relations with each other. Both countries issued a joint statement to this effect along with the US. By taking the step, Bahrain joined UAE in establishing diplomatic contact with Israeal.Media reports say that UAE and Bahrain went ahead to normalise ties with Israel out of shared fears of Iran but this could also leave the Palestinians further isolated. Hezbollah has often spoken of "Israeli expansionist trends" in Palestine. Hezbollah had criticised Israel-UAE deal as well. Bahrain was widely expected to be among the next Arab countries that would be eager to normalise relations with Israel. After the Arab Spring, Bahrain's monarchy was seen to be swinging away from pan-Islamic and pan-Arabism. Bahrain relies on its good relations with the USA.What's more? Bahrain also hosts US Navy's 5th fleet in the Persian Gulf. Also Read | Palestinians rally against Bahrain-Israel normalisation Bahrain had never been directly at war with Israel. It already used Israeli technology and had recognised Israel's "right to exist" two years ago. Who's next to be friends with Israel? Oman and Morocco are widely believed to follow UAE and Bahrain to improve relations with Israel although there is no official confirmation as of now. Morocco is a strong US ally and already has trade and tourism relations with Israel. It does not recognise Israel as a state currently but that picture may change. Oman is a US ally and depends on it for its external security. Though Oman supports formation of a Palestinian State, it has not had overt or covert conflict with Israel. Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu had even visited Oman in the year 2018.

Hezbollah condemns Bahrain. But will more Arab countries befriend Israel in near future?

In a rap scene dominated by men, women's voices are starting to make waves in Morocco. Houda Abouz, a 24-year-old who majors in film studies at a university in the northern city of Tetouan, has long been fascinated by hip-hop, and, encouraged by friends, she picked up a mic and began to perform.

Moroccan woman breaks into male dominated rap scene 

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