The new direct airline service between Tel Aviv and Essaouira, to be launched in September, is an excellent example of how the cultural and historical ties between Morocco and Israel can be translated into concrete achievements, reports the Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" on Thursday.
In an article written by Einat Levy, a researcher at the Israeli Institute for Regional Foreign Policies "Mitvim", the newspaper writes that, in addition to the economic aspect, this line sums up the history of a city that has succeeded in conquering the hearts of Israelis.
"It also embodies the importance of culture in political action, as well as the power of emotions in creating and building the bridges to which the Middle East aspires," adds the media outlet, pointing out that Essaouira was once considered a prosperous urban center with a large Jewish community.
"Consequently, the flow of tourists from Israel to Essaouira and Morocco in general is seen as a movement of passion that goes beyond nostalgia or ephemeral desire and constitutes a formidable emotional force that directs and encourages displacement towards spaces of belonging: home, family, society and culture", the same source adds.
According to the article's author, it's a renewal movement that strives to return to origins, in order to recreate a harmonious and richer future. "It's a desire that transcends borders and conventions, binding worlds and peoples together around a common goal that spurs them into action," she notes.
Levy also points out that Essaouira has always been a source of attraction for Israelis thanks to the policies put in place by the Kingdom, notably the recognition of the Hebrew component as an integral part of Moroccan heritage.
She also mentions the process of restoring Hebrew heritage sites, the establishment of Bayt Dakira (House of Memory), inaugurated by King Mohammed VI, the creation of the Chair of Hebrew Law, and the organization since 2003 of the Festival des Andalousies Atlantiques, which enables visitors to experience the Andalusian "golden age" in its contemporary version, with the participation of Jewish, Muslim and Christian artists and musicians.
The researcher also stresses that Essaouira has succeeded in transforming its cultural assets into sources of urban development, citing in particular the Gnaoua Music Festival, which has managed to change the face of the town by encouraging the tourist industry and developing services.
The establishment of direct flights between Tel Aviv and Essaouira thus testifies to the importance of cultural and civil ties in the development of relations between Israel and Morocco, she points out, noting that culture is a driving force behind political action and helps to build trust and strengthen common denominators and a sense of belonging.
The newspaper concludes that Essaouira cannot be mentioned without citing André Azoulay, Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who was born and raised in the city and has never ceased to believe in its ability to be a beacon of coexistence and cultural pluralism in the region.
