With Morocco-Israel deal, US looks to maintain role in peace accords
For the Trump administration, the renewal of ties between Israel and Morocco is first and foremost a reason to auto-congratulate and make speeches.
The joint Israeli-American delegation met this evening in Rabat with Moroccan King Mohammed VI. Israeli and Moroccan representatives are expected to sign tonight a series of cooperation agreements in the fields of water management, financial relations, investments, visa exemption and direct flights. The delegations are currently conducting talks on cooperation in the fields of tourism and agriculture. At the first stage, both countries agreed to reopen the respective liaison offices that operated between 1993 and 2000 in Rabat and Tel Aviv. Both countries have kept and maintained the buildings where the liaison offices were hosted despite the closures. Opening of embassies is expected at a later stage, probably within a few months.
Shortly after arrival in Rabat, Foreign Minister Director-General Alon Ushpiz and Foreign Ministry Chief of Staff Haim Regev met with senior officials within the Moroccan Foreign Ministry. Apart from meeting the king, the joint Israeli-American delegation is set to meet with Moroccan Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani, government ministers and senior officials. The delegation is expected to come back to Israel late tonight or early Wednesday morning.
