US Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz has announced a deal between Israel and Morocco to deepen diplomatic and economic ties. The agreement is a trilateral arrangement involving the US, aimed at building on President Trump’s Abraham Accords.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita signed the accord in New York on Wednesday. The deal calls for upgrading diplomatic relations, restoring direct flights, and expanding cooperation in technology, security, agriculture, water, energy, and telecommunications.
Waltz said the strength of agreements normalizing relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority nations was “tested” by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the ensuing war in Gaza, and the conflict in Iran.
| Area | Status |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic relations | Upgrading |
| Direct flights | Restoring |
| Technology | Expanding |
| Security | Expanding |
| Agriculture | Expanding |
| Water | Expanding |
| Energy and telecommunications | Expanding |
Trade between Israel and Morocco has jumped 500% since the countries normalized relations in 2020. Waltz predicted: “That number will only grow.”
Sa’ar said the agreement offered “practical ways” to expand ties and bring the countries’ people closer through tourism and investment. He praised the US for demonstrating a “determination to shape a better future.” Sa’ar noted the friendship between the Moroccan and Jewish people has “deep roots and glorious history,” and said Israelis are “eager to visit Morocco” and that more Moroccans will visit Israel.
He also argued Muslim, Christians, and Jews “have shared responsibility to stand united against” Jihadist extremism.
Bourita said he hoped the “spirit of the Abraham Accords” would help advance peace across the Middle East and a two-state solution.
The timing behind the signing
The agreement comes after years of normalization. Israel and Morocco restored relations in 2020, part of a wave of deals that followed Trump’s Abraham Accords. The Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the war in Gaza, and the conflict in Iran tested those arrangements, according to Waltz.
The trade figure
Trade between Israel and Morocco has jumped 500% since the countries normalized relations in 2020. Waltz predicted: “That number will only grow.”
The deal’s stated goal is to build on that record. Sa’ar framed the agreement as a path toward greater business ties between the two countries.
What the deal covers
The agreement covers seven areas:
- Diplomatic relations
- Direct flights
- Technology
- Security
- Agriculture
- Water
- Energy and telecommunications
Sa’ar’s framing
Sa’ar’s argument about Muslim, Christians, and Jews sharing responsibility against extremism is broad. It could be a genuine appeal for unity. It could be a way of warning other Muslim-majority nations that normalization is worth keeping.
Either way, the language reflects a shared interest in stability. The deal itself is focused on practical cooperation.
The signing
Waltz hosted the signing in New York. He noted that the strength of normalization agreements had been “tested” by recent conflicts, but said the relationship remains “stronger and growing.”
The deal is a statement of intent. Its success will depend on implementation.
The signing itself is the news.
Where the paper stands
The paper backs the deal between Israel and Morocco and is against any move that closes the channels of trade, diplomacy and compromise, preferring the path of openness to the path of standoff. Trade between the two countries has already jumped 500% since normalization in 2020, and the agreement aims to build on that record rather than isolate either side.
The paper supports the Abraham Accords approach, which opens channels rather than closing them, and sees this deal as a continuation of that policy rather than a reaction to conflict. The paper’s scepticism of foreign entanglements does not apply here, where the aim is deeper cooperation rather than military alliance.
The paper would watch for signs that the agreement becomes a stepping stone for further involvement, which would run contrary to its preference for keeping channels open rather than locking countries into alliances. For now, the paper backs the deal as a practical step forward.
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