The reasons behind the departure of the deputy head of the Israeli liaison office in Morocco, Hassan Kaabia, also former deputy spokesperson for Arab media at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are strictly personal and administrative, we learned from the sources within the Israeli diplomatic mission in Rabat. The activities of the Liaison office continue as normal, and the representation remains fully committed to its mission of strengthening relations between Israel and Morocco, assure the same sources.
To read: Yossi Ben David, of Moroccan origin, at the Israeli liaison office in Rabat
But the sudden departure of the Israeli diplomat raises questions, because it comes in a context of negative reactions to some of his previous statements and positions. He criticized the solidarity expressed during the national march in support of the Palestinian people in Rabat on October 7, 2023. “Any person who sympathizes with Hamas… is not human and has no connection with humanity and should review its position,” Kaabia said.
Read: Sexual harassment: The head of the Israeli liaison office in Rabat sanctioned
This departure also follows the conflict between head of the Israeli liaison office in Morocco and Kaabia. Yossi Ben-David, “known for his penchant for staying out of the spotlight,” expressed major reservations about his deputy’s media appearances and his openness to the media. Tensions will then arise between the two diplomats. The head of the liaison office even filed a complaint against Kaabia with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tel Aviv.
The latter “asked Kaiba, who was threatening to resign from his post and return to Tel Aviv, to continue his administrative work in the liaison office until the end of his assignment, while remaining away from the spotlight and from any position or statement likely to provoke Moroccan public opinion, as well as to avoid any problem with Ben David,” report the same sources.
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