Israel, Morocco Upgrade Ties to Full Embassies, Restoring Direct Flights by End-2026
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 16
Israel, Morocco Upgrade Ties to Full Embassies, Restoring Direct Flights by End-2026
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 16
Summary
Israel and Morocco agreed in New York to open full embassies, exchange ambassadors and resume direct flights on both countries' airlines before the end of 2026.
The move advances commitments made in Morocco's Dec. 22, 2020 normalization deal with Israel and adds planned accords on investment protection and double taxation.
U.S., Israeli and Moroccan officials tied the upgrade to shared security concerns, especially Houthi threats near the 18-mile-wide Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint that carries about 7% of global oil output.
The joint statement also reaffirmed U.S. and Israeli recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, while Morocco argued its ties with Israel helped it deliver 40 tons of aid into northern Gaza in 2024.
The meeting, held a day after the Abraham Accords' sixth anniversary, also underscored Israeli and U.S. interest in widening the normalization framework to include Saudi Arabia.