Morocco has agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel, President Trump announced Thursday. The Moroccan decision comes as part of a deal in which U.S. Validation included.
Why it’s important: Morocco is the fourth Arab country to move towards normalization with Israel in the last four months as part of the Trump administration’s “Abraham Accords” initiative. But with just six weeks left in Trump’s term in the deal, the U.S. The policy involves change.
Behind the scenes: Negotiations around the deal began two years ago, but have intensified over the past few months. Trump’s senior adviser Jared Kushner and special envoy Avi Berkovitz held direct talks with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Baurita.
- The Israeli government has repeatedly encouraged the White House to move the track forward over the past three years, but only the US and Morocco have been involved in negotiations over the past few months.
- The White House briefed the Israeli government in recent weeks on possible progress.
other side: While the normalization deal is a victory for Israel And a significant achievement for Trump is the recognition of Western Sahara as part of Morocco. A big shift in policy – and a big diplomatic achievement for Morocco.
- The Western Sahara is a distinctly populated, disputed area bordering Morocco on the northwest corner of Africa.
- This was previously controlled by Spain and has been claimed by Morocco despite international opposition and fierce resistance from the indigenous population.
- State of the game: Violent uprising ended in 1991 after 16 years, but the matter remained unresolved. A few weeks ago, fighting broke out again between the Moroccan army and the Saharawi rebels.
What’s next: The US is now the only Western country to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara. The president-elect will have to decide whether to reverse Trump’s decision after taking office in January.
- Such a move would not be easy for Biden, as it could disrupt the Moroccan-Israeli normalization process.
Update: Kushner said in a briefing with reporters that Morocco has agreed to resume official contacts with Israel, allow Israeli airports to use Moroccan airspace and start direct flights between the countries.
- Kushner said Morocco and Israel would promote business relations, diplomatic liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv, and later open embassies.
Flashback: Israel and Morocco have had a secret relationship with the intelligence services since the 1960s.
- In the late 1970s, Morocco helped move towards a historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt.
- In the 1990s, after the Lo Slow Accords, Israel and Morocco established diplomatic relations and began diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv and Rabat.
- In 1994, Israeli Prime Minister Itzak Rabin and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres visited Morocco as guests of the late King Hassan II.
- But in 2000, After the second infidelity, Morocco cut ties with Israel and both countries closed their diplomatic offices.
In the 20 years since then, Several secret meetings have since taken place between Israeli officials and Moroccan foreign ministers.
- In September 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a secret meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Baurita on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
What they are saying:
- “Today, I signed a declaration recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara,” Trump tweeted. “Morocco’s serious, credible and genuine autonomy proposal is the only basis for a just and lasting compromise to maintain peace and prosperity!”
- “Today marks the second break of historic 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!”
Go deep:
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