CAIRO: Israel and Morocco have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations by opening embassies and appointing ambassadors in both countries, according to an Israeli government statement.
The announcement came after a trilateral meeting in New York between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.
The officials agreed on several steps to strengthen ties between Israel and Morocco. These include raising the status of their diplomatic missions to embassies and appointing ambassadors.
Israel and Morocco to Expand Cooperation
The two countries also agreed to expand air links between Israel and Morocco.
They will also work to complete agreements aimed at supporting mutual investment and strengthening economic and trade relations.
The latest move builds on the normalization process that began in 2020. Morocco was among four Arab countries that moved toward normalizing relations with Israel that year under U.S.-backed agreements. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan were the other three.
Israel already has peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan.
Diplomatic Relations and the Palestinian Issue
The 2020 normalization agreements raised concerns among Palestinians about the future of the long-standing Arab position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
That position has called for an Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and the establishment of a Palestinian state in return for normal relations with Arab countries.
The latest Israel-Morocco agreement marks another step in the development of bilateral diplomatic and economic ties.
