Israel and Morocco agree to upgrade ties, open embassies

September 17, 2026 at 04:26 AM2 min

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Israel and Morocco agreed on Wednesday to upgrade diplomatic ties, including opening embassies and appointing ambassadors. The agreement was announced after a meeting in New York hosted by US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz. The two countries also plan to expand air travel and complete investment and tax agreements by year-end.

Key Facts

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita met in New York on Wednesday, hosted by US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz.
The two countries agreed to elevate their missions to embassies and appoint ambassadors.
They plan to complete agreements on investment protection and preventing double taxation by the end of this year.
Direct flights between Israel and Morocco will be reinstated, operated by carriers from both nations.
The announcement came one day after the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, which include the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and Kazakhstan.

Diplomatic Upgrade

Israel and Morocco agreed to elevate their respective missions to embassies and appoint ambassadors to both countries. The decision was announced after a meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in New York on Wednesday. The meeting was hosted by US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz. A joint statement issued by the US mission to the UN on behalf of all three countries said the establishment of full diplomatic relations is in the common interest of both countries and will advance the cause of peace.

Economic and Travel Agreements

The two sides agreed to advance economic and trade relations, including completing two agreements by the end of this year on investment protection and preventing double taxation. They also agreed to expand air travel, including reinstating direct flights operated by carriers from both nations. Plans for high-level bilateral visits in the coming months were confirmed.

Abraham Accords Context

The announcement came one day after the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, an initiative spearheaded by US President Donald Trump during his first term. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan, and Kazakhstan have all joined the accords, which aim to normalize ties between Arab and Muslim-majority countries and Israel.