Israel, Morocco agree to elevate ties to embassy level

NEW YORK – Israel and Morocco agreed to upgrade their diplomatic ties by elevating their missions to embassies and appointing ambassadors, in a further step towards deepening relations established under the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020.

The agreement was reached during a trilateral meeting in New York between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, according to statements issued by Israel and the US mission to the United Nations.

The officials reaffirmed their commitment to a series of measures aimed at advancing bilateral relations, including “upgrading diplomatic relations between the two countries, elevating their respective diplomatic missions to the level of embassies, and the appointment of ambassadors”, according to the Israeli foreign ministry.

A joint statement issued by the US mission on behalf of the three countries said 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.”

The statements did not set a timetable for opening the embassies or appointing ambassadors. Israel and Morocco had already made a similar commitment in June 2022, during an official visit to Morocco by then-Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid.

The two sides also agreed to expand air links between Israel and Morocco and work towards finalising agreements to facilitate mutual investment as well as strengthen economic and trade ties. Officials from the two governments said following Wednesday’s meeting that a number of economic agreements would be finalised before the end of the year.

The Israeli statement also said high-level reciprocal visits between the two countries would take place in the coming months, signalling plans to broaden political engagement alongside the diplomatic and economic measures.

Morocco was one of four Arab countries, alongside the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, to move towards normalising relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords. Israel has separate peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan.

The normalisation agreements marked a significant shift in regional diplomacy, but also prompted concern among Palestinians over the future of the long-standing Arab position linking normal relations with Israel to its withdrawal from occupied territory and acceptance of Palestinian statehood.

Morocco and Israel have maintained diplomatic ties since 2020, although the relationship has been affected by the war in Gaza and wider regional tensions. The latest agreement comes as the two governments seek to advance bilateral cooperation in diplomacy, aviation, investment and trade.