Israel and Morocco agreed Wednesday to deepen diplomatic and economic ties under a new trilateral agreement with the US aimed at building on President Trump’s historic Abraham Accords.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz hosted Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita in New York for the signing, which calls for upgrading diplomatic relations, restoring direct flights and expanding cooperation in technology, security, agriculture, water, energy and telecommunications.
“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, after noting that the strength of agreements normalizing relations between the Jewish State and several Muslim-majority nations were “tested” by the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the ensuing war in Gaza and the conflict in 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,” the UN ambassador added.
Waltz noted that trade between Israel and Morocco has jumped 500% since the countries normalized relations in 2020.
Under the latest agreement, Waltz said: “That number will only grow.”
“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,” he predicted. “And soon, we hope that we will need more podiums and bigger rooms.”
Sa’ar said the agreement offered “practical ways” to expand ties and bring the countries’ people closer together through tourism and investment. The diplomat also praised the US for demonstrating a “determination to shape a better future.”
“The friendship between the Moroccan and Jewish people has deep roots and glorious history,” he said.
“We are excited to welcome more Moroccans to the Holy Land, to see Israel for themselves,” Sa’ar said, noting that Israelis are also “eager to visit Morocco.”
The Israeli official further argued that Muslim, Christians and Jews “have shared responsibility to stand united against” Jihadist extremism.
Bourita said he hoped the “spirit of the Abraham Accords” would also help advance peace across the Middle East and a two-state solution.
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