ALGIERS – Morocco has been accused of a history of collusion with Israel, allegedly aimed at undermining Arab nations supportive of the Palestinian cause. The allegations, made by journalist and author Stephan Smith, center on claims of historical cooperation dating back to the mid-20th century.
Speaking on AL 24 News, Smith addressed the alleged involvement of Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, with Moroccan authorities in the kidnapping and assassination of Moroccan dissident Mehdi Ben Barka in Paris in 1965. He asserted that Morocco’s willingness to collaborate with Israel against Arab states planning potential military action following the 1948 Palestinian displacement was a key motivator.
According to Smith, Morocco allegedly permitted Mossad agents to attend preparatory meetings for an Arab League summit scheduled for Casablanca in September 1965. These agents were purportedly allowed to install recording devices in meeting rooms and hotel rooms used by Arab delegations. This, it is claimed, enabled Israel to gather intelligence on Arab military preparations and vulnerabilities.
The journalist further stated that this alleged betrayal paved the way for the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel, a process he claims began in the 1960s with the Moroccan government encouraging Moroccan Jews to immigrate to Israel and settle in occupied Palestinian territories.
Smith also referenced the Pegasus spyware scandal of 2021, in which Morocco was accused of using Israeli-supplied spyware to surveil French officials, as further evidence of the ongoing alliance. He mentioned Ben Barka’s strong opposition to the monarchy, which led to several uprisings against the royal regime, as another reason for his assassination.
Regarding the unresolved investigation into Ben Barka’s assassination, Smith suggested that the complicity of French officials at the time played a significant role in obstructing the pursuit of justice, noting that French authorities had appointed the fourteenth judge to investigate the case.
