Morocco, Israel to hold joint student exchange programs

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) - Morocco and Israel have agreed to hold student exchange and school twinning programs, Israeli media reported late on Monday.

The two countries' education ministers reportedly came to an agreement on joint programs in the field of education in a phone call last week.

Moroccan Education Minister Saaid Amzazi told the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation network that he offered his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Galant, a twinning agreement between a Moroccan and an Israeli high school for student exchanges.

As part of the program, students in both schools will exchange videos on their educational experiences, along with arts and music shows, Amzazi said.

The officials also agreed to mark the Mimouna festival, celebrated by Morocco's Jewish population, with the participation of Israeli and Moroccan students on April 4 and 5.

On Dec. 10, the US administration announced a resumption of diplomatic ties between Rabat and Tel Aviv after their relations had been halted in 2000 following the eruption of the Palestinian uprising of September 2000.

* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara