Israel approves deal upgrading ties with Morocco: Israeli media

Israel’s cabinet on Sunday approved a deal to upgrade ties with Morocco, the fourth Arab country to forge relations with Israel in a parting foreign policy push by the former Trump administration, Israel’s N12 news reported.

The agreement will now go to Israel’s parliament for ratification.

For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

Last month, Morocco followed the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan in moving towards normal relations with Israel in deals brokered in 2020 by the administration of former US President Donald Trump.

Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed display their copies of signed agreements while U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as they participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords. (File photo: Reuters)

Palestinians have censured the accords, seeing a betrayal of a long-standing demand that Israel first meet their demand for statehood.

As the Trump administration sought to isolate Israel’s arch-enemy Iran, the deals were sweetened with promises of business opportunities or economic aid.

Israel’s new partners have also enjoyed bilateral benefits from Washington - in Rabat’s case, US recognition of its sovereignty over the Western Sahara.

Israel’s economy ministry announced on Sunday that the countries have reached an agreement to promote trade and economic collaboration in fields including regulation and innovation.

The ministry said both sides were interested in signing the deal in about two weeks.

The UAE on Sunday approved establishing an embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel’s business centre. Israel and the UAE agreed to normalize relations in August.

Read more:

Israel to reopen Morocco mission in ‘the next days’ after normalizing ties

US envoy visits Western Sahara after Morocco-Israel normalization deal