Israel and Morocco to Upgrade Diplomatic Ties to Embassies

Israel and Morocco pledged on Tuesday in New York to elevate their diplomatic representation to the ambassadorial level, establishing full embassies. This commitment was made during a trilateral summit involving Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, and U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. The leaders also agreed to finalize bilateral agreements by the end of 2026 concerning investment protection and the avoidance of double taxation, aiming to boost mutual investments and economic ties. Plans are also in motion to enhance direct flights, with Moroccan airlines expected to launch services between the two countries in the coming weeks. Senior officials from both nations will conduct reciprocal visits in the upcoming months. Israel expressed gratitude to the United States for its role in facilitating the meeting and fostering bilateral relations. The summit followed a reception hosted by Thomas-Greenfield celebrating the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, attended by representatives from the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Israel, and the U.S. Foreign Minister Cohen remarked, "The friendship between the Moroccan people and the Jewish people has deep roots and a glorious history. The declaration we signed today outlines concrete steps to strengthen relations between Israel and Morocco for the benefit of both peoples, and we will work to implement them."