US-backed Israel-Morocco deal deepens Abraham Accords amid growing regional threats
NEW YORK — Israel and Morocco agreed Wednesday to upgrade their diplomatic missions to full embassies and exchange ambassadors nearly six years after Morocco joined the U.S.-brokered normalization drive that reshaped Israel’s relations with parts of the Arab world.
The agreement came during a trilateral meeting in New York between U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, one day after officials marked the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords.
The original accords were signed by Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on Sept. 15, 2020. Morocco followed through with a separate U.S.-Morocco-Israel Joint Declaration signed in Rabat on Dec. 22, 2020, restoring official contacts and committing the countries to move toward full diplomatic relations, direct flights and expanded economic cooperation.
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Wednesday's agreement advances several of those commitments. Israel and Morocco agreed to establish full embassies and exchange ambassadors, reinstate direct flights by both Israeli and Moroccan airlines before the end of 2026 and finalize agreements on investment protection and avoidance of double taxation.
The countries also pledged to expand cooperation in trade, finance, technology, tourism, water, agriculture, food security, energy, telecommunications and regional security, according to a Sept. 16 joint statement.
The statement also reaffirmed U.S. and Israeli recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and support for Morocco's autonomy proposal as the basis for resolving the territorial dispute.
But the discussion quickly widened beyond Morocco to whether the normalization framework could eventually include Saudi Arabia.
Asked by Fox News Digital whether Saudi Arabia could be the next country to join the Abraham Accords — amid reports of growing Israeli-Saudi security cooperation against the Iran-backed Houthis — Waltz focused on the regional threat posed by the Houthis and their attacks on international shipping.
"The scourge of terrorism from them is unacceptable to the entire region," Waltz said. "They continue to act as a proxy of the Iranian regime.
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"You cannot attempt to punish the rest of the world to achieve a political end," he added. "The oceans, trade and international waterways must remain open."
The comments come as the Houthis have made major gains along Yemen's Red Sea coast near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Reuters reported Sept. 16 that the offensive has exposed new vulnerabilities for Saudi Arabia and strengthened Iran's regional leverage.
The 18-mile-wide Bab el-Mandeb links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and carries roughly 7% of global oil output. Houthi attacks beginning in 2023 forced major shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa, increasing costs and transit times.
Sa’ar said the threats at Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz demonstrated why countries with shared interests should cooperate.
"What’s happening in Bab al-Mandab, like what's happened in Strait of Hormuz, demonstrates the significance of all nations that want to respect freedom of navigation, world trade and cooperate against this kind of modern piracy," Sa’ar said.
He declined to elaborate on any operational cooperation involving Saudi Arabia but made clear Israel wants the normalization framework expanded.
"It is clear that we would like this camp to be widened," Sa’ar told Fox News Digital.
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Bourita, meanwhile, said Morocco's experience demonstrates that relations with Israel can also give Arab governments practical tools to help Palestinians.
"We can help the Palestinians, humanitarianly, because we have these relations with Israel," Bourita said.
During the Gaza war, Morocco used its ties with Israel to secure a land route for 40 tons of humanitarian assistance into northern Gaza in March 2024.
"Is it better to continue in the rhetorics, political positions, while sitting in our cities, our capitals or take initiatives?" Bourita asked.
"We don't agree with Israel 100%. Each one may have its policy," he said, arguing that Morocco uses the "Abraham Accords spirit" to "promote peace" and "promote stability in the region."
Bourita also pointed to Morocco's participation in Gaza stabilization efforts.
"I think it needs courage to contribute to peace," he said. "And it's easier to keep on making statements and engaging in rhetorics."
Waltz echoed that argument, praising Morocco's humanitarian work and its role in postwar Gaza efforts.
"It is far more than just signing agreements or coming to ceremonies," Waltz said. "The Moroccan government, the Moroccan people are leaning in, in very meaningful ways for a more peaceful future."