Morocco will normalize relations with Israel, which the U.S. It will be the fourth Middle Eastern country to do so this year under a brokerage deal.
In turn, the U.S. has recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region.
President Trump announced on Saturday that the two countries would re-establish diplomatic relations, meaning the countries would reopen liaison offices in Tel Aviv and Rabat and eventually open embassies.
The agreement will also provide overflight rights and direct flights to and from Israel.
The big motivation behind the peace deal is to counter Iran’s influence.
“Today is the second break of historical progress! Our two great friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a major development for peace in the Middle East! Trump wrote on Twitter.
The President then called Morocco’s claim over the Western Sahara a “serious, credible and genuine independence proposal” and “the only basis for a just and lasting solution to maintain peace and prosperity”!
Behind the final team pressure for Saudi Arabia to ‘normalize’ the tie with Israel
The Western Sahara is a region in the formerly Spanish-controlled desert, where a decades-long territorial dispute has pitted Morocco against the Algerian-backed Polisario Front, which seeks to establish an independent state in the region.
Trump tweeted that Morocco recognized the United States in 1777. It is only fitting that we acknowledge his sovereignty over the Western Sahara.
Trump finalized the deal via phone call with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, the White House said.
Trump announces peaceful deal between Sudan and Israel
Morocco has followed the UAE, Bahrain and Sudan as the fourth country since August to normalize relations with Israel. It is said that Saudi Arabia is not far behind in establishing relations with the country, which has long been embroiled in disputes with its Arab neighbors.
The deal is the result of negotiations with Jared Kushner, Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law, and his chief international negotiator, Avi Berkowitz.
Click here to get the Fox News app
Morocco, a nation with centuries of Jewish history, has long had informal relations with Israel. Prior to the founding of Israel in 1948, Morocco had a large Jewish population. Today, thousands of Israeli Jews are tracing their descent to Morocco.
