Israel and Morocco signed a new trilateral agreement with the United States on Wednesday aimed at deepening diplomatic and economic ties, building on the Abraham Accords first struck under President Trump.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz hosted the signing in New York, bringing together Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. The agreement calls for upgrading diplomatic relations, restoring direct flights between the two countries, and expanding cooperation in technology, security, agriculture, water, energy and telecommunications.
Waltz said the deal proves predictions that Arab-Israeli normalization would collapse under pressure have not held up.
“Everyone said that the Arab nations would walk away from Israel, that the relationship would fray, and yet, as today has proven, it’s stronger and growing,” Waltz said.
He acknowledged that the agreements normalizing ties between Israel and several Muslim-majority nations were “tested” by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, the war in Gaza that followed, and the conflict with Iran.
“It is incumbent on me and on the president to constantly remind people that the more the next generation across the Middle East is talking about business and roads, ports, rail, and data centers, the less they’re talking about generational grievances,” he said.
Waltz pointed to trade between Israel and Morocco, which he said has grown 500% since the two countries normalized relations in 2020. He predicted the new agreement will push that figure even higher, along with increased travel in both directions.
“More Moroccans will travel to Israel, more Israelis will visit Morocco, many of them will visit ancient Jewish sites that Morocco has painstakingly preserved, more products and investments will flow between the two countries, businesses and families will have a stake in peace,” Waltz said. “And soon, we hope that we will need more podiums and bigger rooms.”
Sa’ar described the agreement as offering “practical ways” to draw the two countries’ people closer through tourism and investment, and credited the US with a “determination to shape a better future.”
“The friendship between the Moroccan and Jewish people has deep roots and glorious history,” Sa’ar said. “We are excited to welcome more Moroccans to the Holy Land, to see Israel for themselves.”
He added that Israelis are equally eager to visit Morocco, and argued that Muslims, 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 broader peace efforts in the Middle East, including progress toward a two-state solution.
