US-Backed Israel-Morocco Deal Strengthens Abraham Accords Amid Rising Threats

NEW YORK — Israel and Morocco agreed Wednesday to elevate their diplomatic missions to full embassies and exchange ambassadors, nearly six years after Morocco joined the U.S.-brokered normalization initiative that transformed Israel’s ties with several Arab countries.

The agreement was reached during a trilateral meeting in New York involving U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The meeting came one day after officials commemorated 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 joined the broader effort through a separate U.S.-Morocco-Israel Joint Declaration signed in Rabat on Dec. 22, 2020. That agreement restored official contacts and committed the three countries to pursuing full diplomatic relations, direct air links and broader economic cooperation.

Wednesday’s agreement moves several of those commitments forward. Israel and Morocco will establish full embassies and exchange ambassadors, restore direct flights operated by both countries’ airlines before the end of 2026, and complete agreements covering investment protection and the avoidance of double taxation.

According to a joint statement issued Sept. 16, the two countries also plan to deepen cooperation in trade, finance, technology, tourism, water, agriculture, food security, energy, telecommunications and regional security.

The statement additionally reaffirmed U.S. and Israeli recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, along with support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the foundation for resolving the longstanding territorial dispute.

The talks also quickly turned to the possibility that Saudi Arabia could eventually join the normalization framework.

Asked by News Outlet whether Saudi Arabia might become the next signatory to the Abraham Accords, amid reports of expanding Israeli-Saudi security cooperation against Iran-backed Houthi forces, Waltz instead emphasized the 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.

“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.”

Waltz’s comments came as the Houthis made significant advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Reuters reported Sept. 16 that the offensive had revealed new vulnerabilities for Saudi Arabia and increased Iran’s regional leverage.

The 18-mile-wide Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and carries about 7% of global oil output. Houthi attacks that began in 2023 prompted major shipping companies to divert vessels around Africa, driving up transportation costs and extending delivery 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 News Outlet.

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.”