Israel and Morocco agreed to exchange ambassadors and open full embassies during a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz in New York on September 18, 2026. This diplomatic upgrade follows Morocco's joining of the Abraham Accords six years ago, an initiative aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and the Arab world. The agreement was signed one day after the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, which were initially inaugurated by Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2020, with Morocco joining three months later.
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, U.S. Ambassador Waltz, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar signed the agreement, which includes the establishment of full embassies, an upgrade from the current limited consulates, and the exchange of ambassadors. The countries also agreed to reinstate direct airline flights by the end of the year and expand cooperation in trade and finance.
Additionally, Israel and the United States reaffirmed their support for Moroccan sovereignty in the Western Sahara, an issue of significant importance to the Moroccan government. Morocco controls approximately 80 percent of the region, while the remainder is held by separatist movements seeking greater autonomy.
Morocco has proposed an autonomy plan to resolve the Western Sahara dispute, which has garnered international support, including a resolution from the United Nations in November 2025. A joint statement from the U.S., Israel, and Morocco emphasized that the establishment of full diplomatic relations serves the common interests of both countries and promotes peace.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, commended the agreement as a significant step in enhancing diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco. He noted that the past week marked six years since the Abraham Accords and highlighted the importance of actions in strengthening these ties.
Ambassador Waltz remarked on the ongoing transformation in the Middle East due to the Abraham Accords, emphasizing the need for open trade and international waterways. He also addressed the recent attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Iran-backed Houthi insurgents, suggesting that such actions could influence Saudi Arabia's potential participation in the Abraham Accords, contingent upon progress toward Palestinian statehood.
Reports indicate that Israel has been providing informal intelligence assistance to Saudi Arabia against the Houthis, which may be a factor in Saudi considerations regarding formalizing relations with Israel. The dynamics surrounding U.S. military assistance to Saudi Arabia during the Houthi advance were also discussed, with speculation on how this relates to the broader context of the Abraham Accords.