Planned Knesset visit by head of Moroccan senate delayed after he falls ill

The head of Morocco’s senate, Enaam Mayara, will not visit the Knesset tomorrow as planned due to his ongoing hospitalization in Jordan, the Knesset spokesperson’s office says in a statement.

The office said Sunday that Mayara was set to make an official visit to Israel’s parliament. His trip would mark the first visit by a Moroccan leader to Israel’s legislative body, as well as being one of the most high-level visits by a foreign Muslim politician to the Knesset.

But Mayara has been at a hospital in Jordan since yesterday, forcing the cancellation of his trip to Ramallah today and of the Jerusalem stop tomorrow.

“I’m saddened to be prevented from arriving at the Knesset,” Mayara says, according to the Knesset statement. “I know many efforts have been invested in preparations for my visit, and I want to express my appreciation to all the partners.”

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana hails the countries’ booming ties and says Mayara’s visit was planned to be a highlight, “but we are of course following his medical condition with concern and wishing him a speedy and full recovery.”