Israel and Morocco Agree to Upgrade Relations to Embassies

Israel and Morocco have agreed to elevate their diplomatic ties by upgrading their representative offices to full embassies, a significant step in deepening bilateral relations. The agreement was reached during a trilateral summit in New York attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Pompeo. This move aims to transition from the current liaison office model, established when relations were renewed in December 2020 under a U.S.-brokered deal, to a more comprehensive diplomatic framework.

Beyond the symbolic upgrade of diplomatic missions, the two nations committed to finalizing two key economic agreements by the end of 2026. These include a mutual investment protection treaty to safeguard investors and an agreement to prevent double taxation, both intended to remove barriers to economic cooperation. The expansion of direct flights between Israel and Morocco was also agreed upon, with Moroccan airlines expected to join Israeli carriers on the routes in the coming weeks, boosting tourism and commercial ties.

The summit also included agreements for reciprocal visits by senior officials in the coming months to further implement the accords and explore new avenues for cooperation. The United States played a crucial role in facilitating the renewed ties since 2020 and was directly involved in the New York summit, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry expressing gratitude for Washington's assistance.

Foreign Minister Ashkenazi highlighted the deep historical connection between the Jewish people and Morocco, emphasizing that the agreements reached aim to translate this historical bond into practical governmental and public actions. The success of these agreements will be measured by their implementation, including the upgrading of missions, advancement of economic pacts, expansion of air travel, and the execution of planned state visits, potentially culminating in a significantly enhanced relationship by 2026.