In a significant diplomatic advancement, Morocco and Israel have reached an agreement to elevate their current diplomatic missions to full embassies while also enhancing cooperation across various sectors. This development marks another step forward in the bilateral relationship that was normalized in 2020 under the Abraham Accords. The foreign ministers of both nations met in New York this Wednesday, alongside Mike Waltz, the United States ambassador to the United Nations, to discuss these important matters.
The three nations emphasized in a joint statement released by the United States that they "reaffirm the spirit of the Abraham Accords and continue to believe that establishing full, peaceful, and friendly diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel serves the common interests of both countries and contributes to the cause of peace." Notably, the Moroccan foreign ministry has yet to publicly comment on the meeting. Among the key decisions made during this gathering was the restoration of direct flights between Rabat and Tel Aviv before the year's end, alongside plans to promote high-level visits in the coming months.
As was also the case during the signing of the Abraham Accords six years ago, the issue of Western Sahara was a focal point of these negotiations. Both the United States and Israel reiterated their recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the entirety of Western Sahara, stating that "any alternative prolongs the status quo and is unacceptable," referring to any solutions other than the autonomy proposal that Rabat has been advocating for years.
The normalization of relations between Rabat and Tel Aviv has been bolstered in recent years, including military agreements. However, these ties are viewed unfavorably by segments of the Moroccan population, particularly in light of the events following October 7 and the invasion of Gaza and Lebanon, with calls emerging to sever these connections. This sentiment has been vocally expressed in various demonstrations that have gathered tens of thousands of people in cities like Rabat.
Furthermore, this meeting comes just weeks before the United Nations Security Council is set to revisit discussions regarding the future of MINURSO (the UN mission for Western Sahara) and the situation of the former Spanish colony. Following last year's decision to establish Morocco's autonomy plan as the basis for future negotiations, there have been some meetings involving Morocco, the Polisario, Algeria, and Mauritania, although no significant progress has been made public to date.
Donald Trump emerged as a crucial ally for Rabat in its pursuit of the Moroccan plan's recognition. The former president finds himself in a challenging position just weeks before the midterm elections, with declining popularity ratings. The Abraham Accords stand out as one of the most significant diplomatic achievements of his first term in the White House, aiming to strengthen ties between Israel and neighboring countries, particularly in the Gulf region, to create a united front against Iran.
As reported by elperiodico.com.
