Israel and Morocco have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic representation to the level of full embassies and appoint ambassadors, marking a further step in the development of relations between the two countries.
The agreement was announced after a trilateral meeting in New York between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz.
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the meeting discussed a series of measures aimed at strengthening relations between Israel and Morocco. The three countries also reaffirmed their commitment to further developing bilateral ties.
One of the measures agreed upon is to raise the status of the diplomatic missions maintained by the two countries to full embassies, alongside the appointment of ambassadors to represent Israel and Morocco.
Israel and Morocco normalized diplomatic relations in December 2020 as part of a US-backed agreement. The two countries subsequently reopened liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv instead of establishing full embassies.
The Moroccan government said at the time that the December 2020 agreement provided for the resumption of full diplomatic and official contacts with Israel and the reopening of liaison offices in both countries.
The new decision would therefore move the relationship beyond the liaison-office level established after the 2020 normalization agreement. Israel currently maintains a liaison office in Rabat, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.
The two sides have expanded cooperation in several areas since 2020, including economic, technological, tourism and security ties. Israel also formally recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2023.
The latest agreement also includes plans to strengthen economic ties. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel and Morocco had agreed to complete agreements on investment protection and the avoidance of double taxation by the end of 2026, while also expanding direct flights and high-level visits.
The move comes nearly six years after Israel and Morocco announced the normalization of their diplomatic relations, with both sides now moving toward a higher level of formal diplomatic representation.
