Israeli officials see in Pompeo’s Morocco visit an upcoming «breakthrough in ties with Rabat»

After the meeting that brought together US State Secretary Mike Pompeo and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Portugal, Israeli officials said that they are positive about an upcoming breakthrough in normalizing ties with Morocco.

Quoting Israel’s Channel 12, The Times of Israel reported, Thursday, that the Jewish state is «hoping to present a real diplomatic accomplishment in the few days» with Morocco.

These reports come as Pompeo is expected to hold talks, Thursday, with King Mohammed VI while in Morocco. His visit, which was proceeded by a meeting with Netanyahu, is reportedly meant to discuss «normalizing relations with Israel».

Last week, a US Department of State official told AFP that «Morocco plays a great role across the region as an important partner in promoting tolerance (and) has these quiet ties and relationship with Israel as well».

For the record, Morocco first established diplomatic ties with Israel in 1993, following the signing of the Oslo agreement between the Jewish state and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

But with the start of the second Palestinian Intifada in 2000, Morocco decided to cut ties with the Jewish state. Three years later, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom visited Rabat and met with King Mohammed VI in Tetouan.