Morocco did most of the normalization of relations with Israel last month, but only promised to open liaison offices, rather than embassies.
Why does it matter: This decision has led to speculation that Morocco is waiting to see if the Biden administration will return Trump’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara before going all the way with Israel. He also disappointed Netanyahu, who hoped Morocco would engage in full embassies, according to a senior Israeli official.
News management: Moroccan King Mohammed VI told Netanyahu last week that he was committed to opening embassies as part of the next phase of the process, Israeli officials told me.
- Mohammed also responded positively when Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat raised the embassy’s issue at a meeting in Rabat two weeks ago, which was also attended by Jared Kushner, Israeli officials say.
- An Israeli official added that normalization is “moving very fast” and will eventually include embassies. Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on the story.
Game status: An Israeli delegation is visiting Rabat this week to inspect Israel’s former liaison office, which was closed 20 years ago but is still owned by the Israeli government, Israeli officials told me.
- Morocco has retained its property in Tel Aviv, and a Moroccan delegation paid a similar visit there last week to see if the office could be reopened in a short time.
- Morocco and Israel also pledged in their joint declaration to start direct flights and resume contacts at all levels of government. Since then, there have been several phone calls between Israeli and Moroccan ministers.
What’s next: Israeli officials say the plan is for both sides to open liaison offices immediately after next week, in temporary locations, if necessary.
- The United States has also announced that it will open a consulate in Dakhla in Western Sahara. Deputy Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs David Schenker will visit Morocco next week to discuss the plans, the state department said.
Not worth anything: Sudan officially joined Abraham’s agreements on Wednesday, signing the declaration signed by the UAE and Bahrain in September at the White House. On the US side, the statement was signed by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who visited Khartoum today.