Morocco, Israel Agree to Normalize Relations in U.S.-Brokered Deal; Trump Recognizes Moroccan Sovereignty Over Western Sahara

In a historic diplomatic breakthrough, Morocco and Israel agreed on Thursday to normalize relations, making Morocco the fourth Arab nation to do so in recent months under U.S. mediation. The agreement, facilitated by outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump, also includes U.S. recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara—a disputed territory long claimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario Front.

Trump sealed the deal in a phone call with Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, who confirmed the resumption of diplomatic ties and the opening of liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv. Direct flights and economic cooperation between the countries are also planned.

The move follows similar normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Sudan under the "Abraham Accords" framework. However, Palestinian leaders harshly criticized the deal, accusing Morocco of undermining the Arab Peace Initiative, which calls for normalization only after the establishment of a Palestinian state.

In Gaza, Hamas called the agreement “a sin,” while the Polisario Front slammed the U.S. recognition of Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara as a violation of international law. Despite these criticisms, King Mohammed VI reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to a two-state solution and peaceful negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the agreement, calling it “another great light of peace,” while White House advisor Jared Kushner said it’s “inevitable” that Saudi Arabia could follow.

The U.S. also announced plans to open a consulate in Western Sahara, further solidifying its stance. This makes Washington the first Western country to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the territory.

As the Trump administration eyes a final foreign policy win before leaving office, it is also pushing for a resolution to the three-year Gulf blockade on Qatar. While a tentative agreement has been reached, the outcome remains uncertain.

President-elect Joe Biden will soon face key decisions on whether to uphold or reverse Trump’s recognition of Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara, a move that could reshape U.S. policy in North Africa.