Morocco and Israel agree to upgrade diplomatic missions to full embassies

Yesterday 07:19

Morocco and Israel have agreed to take a significant institutional step in their bilateral relationship by upgrading their diplomatic missions to full embassies and appointing ambassadors, following high-level talks in New York.

The decision was reached on September 16 during a trilateral meeting involving Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz. The announcement was made by the Israeli government and subsequently reported by Reuters.

From liaison offices to formal diplomatic missions

Morocco and Israel restored official relations in 2020 under the U.S.-brokered normalization process associated with the Abraham Accords. Their diplomatic presence has since operated through liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv rather than full embassies.

The latest agreement provides for those missions to be elevated to embassy status, accompanied by the appointment of ambassadors. The move further formalizes diplomatic ties that have developed since the reopening of official channels, although the precise timetable for implementing the change was not detailed in the initial announcement.

The United States remains directly involved in the process. The New York meeting was hosted by Waltz, underscoring Washington's continuing role in the diplomatic framework that helped restore Morocco-Israel relations six years ago.

Economic agreements included in the package

The discussions went beyond diplomatic representation. Morocco and Israel agreed to work toward completing two economic agreements by the end of 2026, covering investment protection and the avoidance of double taxation.

Such agreements are intended to establish clearer legal conditions for businesses and investors operating between the two markets and could provide a framework for expanding commercial exchanges.

The two governments also discussed strengthening direct air connections. The announced plans include expanding services operated by airlines from both countries, with direct Moroccan-operated flights expected to be reinstated or expanded. High-level reciprocal visits are also planned in the coming months.

A new phase for bilateral relations

The embassy agreement comes nearly six years after Morocco re-established diplomatic relations with Israel. The process initially focused on restoring official contacts and developing cooperation in areas such as trade, tourism and transportation.

Moving from liaison offices to embassies would give the relationship a more conventional diplomatic structure, with ambassadors serving as the principal representatives of each government.

For Israel, the agreement represents another step in the expansion of diplomatic ties established through the Abraham Accords. For Morocco, it adds a new institutional dimension to a relationship that has continued to evolve despite wider regional tensions.

Palestinian issue remains part of Morocco's diplomatic position

The development also comes against the backdrop of the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader instability in the Middle East.

Morocco's diplomatic position on the Palestinian issue remains relevant to its regional policy. Rabat has continued to support a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The decision to deepen diplomatic relations with Israel therefore takes place alongside Morocco's stated position on Palestinian statehood, reflecting the parallel tracks followed by its foreign policy.

A relationship entering a more formal stage

The New York agreement does not create diplomatic relations from scratch; rather, it moves an existing framework toward a more formal structure. The planned embassies, ambassadorial appointments, economic agreements and expanded air links collectively point to a broader effort to institutionalize cooperation.

The next stage will depend on the implementation of these commitments, including the timing of the embassy openings, ambassadorial appointments and the conclusion of the economic agreements targeted for the end of 2026.