Relations between Morocco and Israel have taken another significant step forward. The move came at a trilateral summit held in New York on Wednesday, September 16, bringing together Morocco, Israel and the United States. The meeting was attended by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.
Until now represented by liaison offices, Morocco and Israel have agreed to upgrade their respective diplomatic missions to full embassies and to appoint ambassadors in the near future. No precise date has been announced for the embassies to formally open, but the political commitment has now been made.
“The United States, Morocco and Israel reaffirm the spirit of the Abraham Accords and continue to believe the establishment of full diplomatic, peaceful and friendly relations between Morocco and Israel is in the common interest of both countries and will advance the cause of peace and unlock new opportunities for the entire region. The parties look forward to enhancing their trilateral cooperation in the international arena,” the three countries said in a joint statement.
Sahara Position Reaffirmed
The joint statement issued following the summit also reaffirmed a major diplomatic position. The United States and Israel reiterated their recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over the entire territory of Western Sahara. They also reaffirmed their firm support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the sole basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute.
“The United States and Israel reaffirm their recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory and their support for Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory. Any other path prolongs the status quo and is unacceptable. This urgently needed solution will not only bring peace to the region but prosperity and greater integration for all of Africa,” the joint statement said.
On the economic front, cooperation is gathering pace around specific objectives. Israel and Morocco have committed to finalizing key agreements on investment protection and the elimination of double taxation by the end of 2026, facilitating mutual financial flows and strengthening trade ties. The ambitions set out by the three countries also extend beyond the strictly bilateral relationship to broader, multisector cooperation, spanning technology, security, innovation, trade, energy and food security.
Direct Air Links to Expand
Direct flights between Israel and Morocco are also set for a significant expansion to accompany the institutional and economic rapprochement. Services will be broadened to include Royal Air Maroc flights, with the new routes expected to begin in the coming weeks, further facilitating tourism and people-to-people exchanges, which have grown strongly since Rabat and Tel Aviv resumed diplomatic relations on December 22, 2020. The two countries “agreed to take the necessary measures for prompt reinstatement of direct flights between Morocco and Israel including by Israeli and Moroccan airline companies before the end of the year,” the statement said.
Technology, security and innovation are among the other areas where cooperation is set to deepen. “This cooperation continues to strengthen bilateral and trilateral relations and offers practical solutions that benefit the peoples of the region.” And that is not all. “The countries discussed how best to continue to promote dynamic and innovative economic bilateral cooperation and expand cooperation on trade; finance and investment; innovation and technology; tourism; water, agriculture, and food security; development; regional security; energy and telecommunications,” the document said. Against this backdrop, the two countries agreed to advance high-level visits in the months ahead.
The role of the United States and US President Donald J. Trump in this new rapprochement was also highlighted. “Israel and Morocco recognize & appreciate the United States and especially President Trump as a visionary leader uniquely capable of bringing peace where no one else thought it was possible. The participants understand that deeper regional integration, building on this historic foundation, will lead to further peace, stability, and shared prosperity across the Middle East and beyond,” the joint statement said. The United States and Israel, for their part, recognized “the special ties between Moroccan Monarchs and the Moroccan Jewish community living in Morocco and throughout the world including in the United States and Israel”.
Cited in a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Gideon Sa’ar underscored the significance of the partnership, saying: “The friendship between the Moroccan and Jewish peoples has deep roots and a rich history. The declaration we signed today outlines practical ways to upgrade ties between Israel and Morocco for the benefit of both peoples.”
The meeting came a day after an event held at Ambassador Waltz’s residence to mark the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords. The commemoration brought together representatives from several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Israel and the United States.
