WASHINGTON (US) – In what is seen as a deal brokered with US help, both Israel and Morocco agreed on Thursday to normalise ties. This makes the North African nation the fourth Arab country to normalise relations with Israel in the past four months.
US efforts to have a united front against Iran in the Middle East have led to the UAE, Bahrain and Sudan forge ties with Israel.
Departing from longstanding US policy, President Donald Trump agreed as part of the deal to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, which is the theatre of a long-standing territorial dispute, pitting Rabat against Algiers-supported Polisario Front, fighting for an independent state in the desert region.
When President-elect Joe Biden assumes charge, he will have to take a decision whether to accept the US deal on Western Sahara.
He has hinted that he would continue with the pursuit of what Trump has termed “the Abraham Accords” between Israel and Arab and Muslim nations.
The president sealed the historic deal in a phone call with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI on Thursday.
“Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East!” Trump tweeted.
The King told the US president that Morocco would facilitate direct flights for Israeli tourists to and from Morocco, said the Royal Court in Rabat.
“This will be a very warm peace. Peace has never – the light of peace on this Hanukkah day has never – shone brighter than today in the Middle East,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement.
Palestinians slammed the deal, saying Arab countries have set back the cause of peace by abandoning a longstanding demand that Israel give up land for a Palestinian state in exchange for recognition.
Egypt and UAE hailed Morocco’s decision in separate statements.
“This step, a sovereign move, contributes to strengthening our common quest for stability, prosperity, and just and lasting peace in the region,” Abu Dhabi’s crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, tweeted.
Morocco will establish full diplomatic relations and resume official contacts with Israel.
“They are going to reopen their liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv immediately with the intention to open embassies. And they are going to promote economic cooperation between Israeli and Moroccan companies,” Trump senior adviser Jared Kushner said.
The Royal Court said Washington would open a consulate in Western Sahara as part of the agreement between Rabat and Tel Aviv.