Overview
- A trilateral meeting hosted by U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz produced a joint statement on Sept. 16 that committed Israel and Morocco to elevate their liaison missions to full embassies and exchange ambassadors.
- The agreement affirms the intent to open embassies but gives no dates for ambassador nominations or for when liaison offices will be formally converted, making implementation the next phase.
- The parties set a target to reinstate and expand direct flights by carriers from both countries before the end of 2026 and to complete economic agreements on investment protection and avoidance of double taxation by year end.
- The joint statement also reaffirmed U.S. and Israeli recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara and expressed support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the basis for resolving the dispute.
- Domestic politics in Morocco remain a major constraint because large protests since the Gaza war and legal limits on criticism could slow or reshape how the diplomatic and travel changes are rolled out, with practical effects for trade, tourism and humanitarian channels.