Morocco and Israel have agreed to exchange embassies, deepening ties with backing from the United States. The deal includes support for Morocco's claim over Western Sahara and comes as conflict continues in Gaza.
Morocco and Israel have agreed to exchange embassies, a move shaped by direct US involvement and the influence of Donald Trump. The agreement, reached during a period of tension in Ceuta, marks a shift in regional alliances and puts Spain in a position where it must closely monitor developments.
The embassy exchange is expected to lead to closer economic, tourism, and social ties. Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said the partnership should strengthen connections between the two countries and create new opportunities for cooperation. While the embassies are not yet open, 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 let the situation in Gaza slow the pace of this new partnership. The deal also reaffirms Morocco's claim over Western Sahara, a sensitive issue in the region. According to Reuters and Morocco World News, the US and Israel have repeated their support for Morocco's autonomy plan as the basis for resolving the Western Sahara dispute.
The United States has acted as the main sponsor of the agreement, positioning itself as a mediator and key player in this rapprochement. Donald Trump is credited with driving the deal, and US officials have pointed to his vision for 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 present 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"—Morocco, Israel, and the United States—could shift the balance of power in North Africa and the Mediterranean. The timing, during the crisis in Ceuta, adds complexity for Spanish policymakers, especially given Spain's close ties with Morocco. Morocco World News notes that, at the time of publication, official Moroccan institutions had not released a separate statement on the meeting, and there is still public opposition in Morocco to normalization with Israel.
The agreement goes beyond diplomatic upgrades, encompassing expanded cooperation in trade, finance, technology, tourism, water, agriculture, food security, energy, and telecommunications, as well as closer regional collaboration. The rapprochement builds on the December 2020 normalization agreements, when the US recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
This agreement is more than a diplomatic gesture. It consolidates interests and reshapes alliances, moving forward despite the violence in Gaza and international scrutiny of Israel. The US endorsement of 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. For Spain, staying alert and flexible will be important as the effects of this agreement play out across the Mediterranean and beyond.
