Amir Ohana after his appointment as Speaker of the Knesset (Knesset channel)
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana visited Morocco's parliament on Thursday. In doing so, he is the first Knesset Speaker to make an official visit to a Muslim country. He was greeted by Parliament Speaker Rashid Talbi al-Alami, and the two spoke in the legislature and signed a joint memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.
Ohana began his remarks in Moroccan and said that this is a new era in relations between Israel and Morocco: "There is no doubt that political, security, civil and parliamentary cooperation is at its peak. The signing of the memorandum of understanding will pave the way for deepening relations between the countries and upgrading embassies." Ohana closed his remarks with the blessing of "Shehachayanu."
Al-Alami said: "Morocco is the first Muslim country to have the courage to invite an Israeli Knesset speaker. This is a significant milestone for a peaceful future in the Middle East." He turned to Ohana and said, "Your arrival here is a great honor for me."
"Cooperation between the countries is at its peak," Ohana closed his remarks by greeting "Shehachayanu." (Photo: official website, Jaouad ACIM © ACIMCOM)
"Your arrival here is a great honor for me," Speaker of the Moroccan Parliament El Alami (Photo: official website, Chambre des Représentants)
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During the joint statement, Ohana gave his host a glass box containing a chip containing the world's smallest version of the Qur'an. On the chip are engraved the 320,4 words in the Islamic holy book, it measures 7.500 millimeters, is <> microns thick and was developed by scientists from Tel Aviv University.
Earlier in the day, the two were scheduled for a formal working meeting attended by local MPs. At the meeting, Ohana stressed the importance of political cooperation between the countries in light of the security threats Iran poses to the Middle East.
Later today and tomorrow, Ohana will hold meetings with senior Moroccan government officials, including Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Justice Minister Abdelatif Wahbi, and President of the Senate - Morocco's upper house, Inam Mayara.
Ohana gave his host a chip containing the world's smallest version of the Qur'an. Today (Photo: official website, Chambre des Représentants)
In April, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen flew to Ashkhabad, the capital of Turkmenistan, for his first state visit in 29 years. During his visit, the minister inaugurated the Israeli embassy in the country, located 17 kilometers from the border with Iran, and held a series of meetings with the local president and met with representatives of the country's Jewish community.
A month earlier, Morocco's ambassador to Israel, Abdelrahim Boud, addressed the warming relations between the two countries in a speech he gave at an international conference of the Ministry of Regional Cooperation held in Ashkelon. "We want to deepen the friendship and peace between us. Relations can exist between people, communities and governments and societies will live in peace and well. When it comes to Israel and Morocco, for example, the relations between Jews and Muslims in Morocco are an example of the fulfillment of ethical codes and deep coexistence for 2000,<> years," he said.
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