Morocco upgrades to full embassy status

Israel and Morocco agreed Wednesday to establish full embassies and exchange ambassadors, nearly six years after Morocco joined the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords normalization framework.

The Abraham Accords timeline

The original accords were signed by Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on September 15, 2020. Morocco followed with its own declaration on December 22, 2020, restoring official contacts.

Direct flights and economic ties resume

Israel and Morocco committed to reinstate direct flights by both airlines before the end of 2026 and finalize agreements on investment protection and double taxation avoidance.

Broad cooperation across sectors

The countries pledged to expand cooperation in trade, finance, technology, tourism, water, agriculture, food security, energy, telecommunications and regional security.

U.S. backs Morocco on Western Sahara

The agreement 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.

Houthi threat reshapes regional calculus

The Houthis have made major gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a waterway carrying roughly 7 percent of global oil output. Their attacks since 2023 forced shipping companies to reroute around Africa.

U.S. condemns Houthi maritime attacks

U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz said Houthi terrorism is unacceptable and that international waterways must remain open. He emphasized the Houthis act as a proxy of the Iranian regime.

“The scourge of terrorism from them is unacceptable to the entire region.”

Israel signals Saudi Arabia interest

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said shared security interests at Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz demonstrate why countries should cooperate, and that Israel wants the normalization framework widened.

“It is clear that we would like this camp to be widened.”

Morocco shows humanitarian benefits

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita argued that relations with Israel give Arab governments practical tools to help Palestinians. Morocco secured a land route for 40 tons of aid into northern Gaza in March 2024.

“We can help the Palestinians, humanitarianly, because we have these relations with Israel.”

Bourita defends pragmatic approach

Bourita said Morocco uses the Abraham Accords spirit to promote peace and stability while participating in Gaza stabilization efforts, arguing it takes courage to contribute to peace rather than just make statements.

“I think it needs courage to contribute to peace.”