Morocco and Israel have agreed to exchange embassies, a move shaped by direct US involvement and Donald Trump's influence. Reached amid tensions in Ceuta, the agreement marks a shift in regional alliances and puts Spain in a position where it must closely monitor developments.
The embassy exchange is expected to bring closer economic and social ties, including tourism. Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said the partnership should strengthen connections between the two countries and open new opportunities for cooperation. The embassies are not yet open, but both governments have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic missions and appoint ambassadors after a trilateral meeting in New York with US officials.
The agreement also includes plans to restore and expand direct flights, and to finalize investment protection and double taxation agreements by the end of 2026.
Despite ongoing violence in Gaza and international criticism of Israel, Morocco has chosen to deepen its relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu's government. King Mohamed VI has not allowed the situation in Gaza to slow this new partnership. The deal also reaffirms Morocco's claim over Western Sahara, a sensitive regional issue. Reuters and Morocco World News report that the US and Israel have reiterated their support for Morocco's autonomy plan as the basis for resolving the Western Sahara dispute.
The United States has been the agreement's basic sponsor, acting as a mediator and basic player in the rapprochement. Donald Trump is credited with driving the deal, and US officials have pointed to his vision of a changed Middle East. The US played a similar role in 2020 with the Abraham Accords, which opened the door to normalization between Israel and several Arab states. Official statements cast this latest step as a continuation of that process, with the US government actively supporting the trilateral talks and announcements.
For Spain, the new alliance has immediate consequences. The emergence of a “strategic triangle” comprising Morocco, Israel and the United States could shift the balance of power in North Africa and the Mediterranean. Its timing, during the crisis in Ceuta, complicates matters for Spanish policymakers, especially given Spain's close ties with Morocco. Morocco World News reports that, at the time of publication, official Moroccan institutions had not issued a separate statement on the meeting, while public opposition to normalization with Israel remained in Morocco.
The agreement extends beyond diplomatic upgrades, with expanded cooperation covering trade, finance, technology, tourism, water, agriculture, food security, energy and telecommunications, alongside closer regional collaboration. The rapprochement builds on the December 2020 normalization agreements, when the US recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
The agreement consolidates interests and reshapes alliances despite the violence in Gaza and international scrutiny of Israel. US backing for Morocco's claim over Western Sahara adds another layer of complexity, with possible effects on Spain's strategic interests in the region.
As the alliance develops, the region is entering a period of realignment. The embassy exchange signals deeper cooperation and shared goals. Spain will need to stay alert and flexible as the agreement's effects unfold across the Mediterranean and beyond.
