Morocco: Israel announces embassies and ambassador appointments

Israel announced on Wednesday, September 16, that Morocco and the Hebrew state have agreed to elevate their diplomatic representations to embassies and appoint ambassadors. This decision deepens the normalization process initiated between the two countries in 2020.

The announcement followed a meeting in New York between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz. The Israeli Foreign Ministry presented the agreement as a series of measures aimed at enhancing bilateral relations.

Israeli diplomacy also announced the expansion of direct air links to Moroccan airlines, as well as the finalization, by the end of 2026, of agreements on investment protection and the prevention of double taxation. High-level visits are also planned in the coming months.

Morocco and Israel officially resumed diplomatic relations in December 2020 as part of a trilateral declaration with the United States. The transition to embassies would replace the current liaison office arrangement governing their mutual representation.

The Israeli office in Rabat is still referred to by the Israeli Foreign Ministry as a liaison office. It was inaugurated in 2021 following the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.