Trump Announces Morocco's Approval to Establish Diplomatic Relations with Israel

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced that Morocco's King Mohamed VI had agreed to normalize relations with Israel in a peace deal brokered by the United States, making the North African nation the fourth Arab country in few months to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel.

“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 United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan recently moved to normalize relations with Israel in deals brokered by Washington.

President Trump said in tweets announcing the deal that the United States would also recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the long-contested region of Western Sahara.

Under the agreement, Morocco will establish full diplomatic relations and resume official contacts with Israel, including the immediate reopening of liaison offices in Tel Aviv and Rabat and the eventual opening of embassies. U.S. officials said there would be joint overflight rights for airlines.

The White House said that Trump held a telephone conversation with Morocco's King, during which, they agreed that Morocco would resume diplomatic relations with Israel and expand economic and cultural cooperation to advance regional stability.