Israel and Morocco have agreed to upgrade diplomatic ties, officials said on Wednesday.
Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar met in New York alongside US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.
Morocco and Israel had agreed to the “elevation of the diplomatic missions between Morocco and Israel to full embassies and the exchange of ambassadors,” a joint statement released after the meeting said.
The statement said they believed that the “establishment of full diplomatic, peaceful and friendly relations between Morocco and Israel is in the common interest of both countries and will advance the cause of peace and unlock new opportunities for the entire region.”
The “prompt reinstatement” of direct flights between Morocco and Israel was also agreed on, alongside completing agreements on investment protection and preventing double taxation.
“The countries commit to furthering peace and friendly relations and pursuing a vision of peace, prosperity and security in the region and around the world,” the statement said.
Saar said the “significant steps” would strengthen relations between the two.
“The relationship between Israel and Morocco is important and holds great potential for both our peoples. We thank our American friends for their important contribution to strengthening it,” he wrote on X.
Morocco and Israel established diplomatic ties in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, which normalized Israel’s relations with several Arab states.