Israel and Morocco agree to open embassies, upgrading diplomatic ties
Israel and Morocco have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations by elevating their missions to embassies and appointing ambassadors. The countries also pledged to expand air travel, resume direct commercial flights, and complete economic agreements on investment protection and double taxation by year-end.
Why It Matters
Formalizing embassy-level ties and restoring direct flights deepen bilateral engagement and could boost trade and people-to-people connections. The move also aligns with broader regional normalization efforts tied to the Abraham Accords.
Key Facts
- Diplomatic upgrade: Both countries will elevate their missions to embassies and appoint ambassadors.
- Meeting: The agreement followed a meeting in New York hosted by U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz.
- Foreign ministers: Israeli FM Gideon Saar and Moroccan FM Nasser Bourita were the primary signatories.
- Air travel: Both sides agreed to expand air travel and reinstate direct flights operated by carriers from both nations.
- Economic pacts: They agreed to complete two agreements by the end of this year on investment protection and preventing double taxation.
Israel and Morocco announced plans to upgrade their diplomatic relations by turning their current missions into embassies and naming ambassadors to one another, officials said. The move was reached during talks in New York where the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, hosted a meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
In addition to formal diplomatic elevation, the two countries committed to expanding air links, including the reinstatement of direct commercial flights operated by carriers from both states. They also confirmed intentions to schedule high-level bilateral visits in the coming months to solidify the upgraded relationship.
On the economic front, Israel and Morocco agreed to advance trade and investment ties by finalizing two specific agreements before the end of the year: one on investment protection and another to prevent double taxation. These measures are intended to create a clearer framework for businesses and investors operating between the countries.
The announcement was released in a joint statement issued by the U.S. mission to the United Nations on behalf of the three countries involved in the talks. It comes a day after the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-backed initiative that has brought normalization between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan and Kazakhstan.
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Original source: Al Jazeera