Head of Israeli mission in Morocco leaves Rabat

By Khaled Majdoub

RABAT, Morocco (AA) - The head of Israel's diplomatic mission in Rabat David Goffrin on Saturday has left Morocco for what he said private family reasons.

The departure of Goffrin comes amid rising calls in Morocco to fire him from Rabat and cut ties with Israel due to its continued attack on the Palestinian people.

Goffrin said on Twitter that he was forced to leave to be beside his father who is treated in a hospital.

He also said that he will return back to his office in Rabat after the Jewish Shavuot holiday on June 7.

Meanwhile, several Moroccan NGOs have called on the Moroccan government to cut ties with Israel, including Mohammed Abed al-Jabri Foundation which urged the Moroccan authorities to cut all forms of cooperation with Israel.

Since Monday, the Israeli army has killed 139 Palestinians including 40 children and 22 women, and 1038 injuries in Gaza amid intense Israeli bombardment on Gaza.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara