Trump Secures Fourth Peace Deal Between Israel And An Arab Nation
The Trump administration has secured another peace deal in the Middle East, this time, brokering the agreement between Israel and Morocco, in what would become the fourth peace accord struck in the region this year.
Morocco, Israel normalisation is 'betrayal' of Palestine – Iranian official https://t.co/ROOtxcqH5H pic.twitter.com/Q4qNh4hM2V
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 11, 2020
“Another HISTORIC breakthrough today!” President Donald Trump tweeted. “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!”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1337067073051238400
Morocco will be the fourth Arab country to move toward normalization with Israel in the past four months as part of President Trump’s ‘Abraham Accord’ initiative in the Middle East.
Reports said the negotiations around the deal were initiated two years ago with the President’s senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, together with special envoy for international negotiations, Avi Berkowitz directly negotiating with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
Prior to the normalization of relations between Israel and Morocco, the US has also earlier helped secure peace agreements between Israel and three other Arab countries — including Bahrain, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates.
“Today the administration has achieved another historic milestone. President Trump has brokered a peace agreement between Morocco and Israel – the fourth such agreement between Israel and an Arab/Muslim nation in four months,” Kushner told Reuters.
Adding that Morocco will reopen its liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv “immediately” with the intention to open embassies.
Kushner said the two nations will also work to promote economic cooperation between Israeli and Moroccan companies.
Separately, Axios reported that Kushner said in a briefing that “Morocco had agreed to resume official contacts with Israel,” and allow Israeli airlines to use Moroccan airspace, and begin direct flights between the countries.
“Through this historic step, Morocco is building on its longstanding bond with the Moroccan Jewish community living in Morocco and throughout the world, including in Israel. This is a significant step forward for the people of Israel and Morocco,” Kushner added, noting that the peace deal will also further enhance Israel’s security, while creating opportunities for Morocco and Israel to deepen their economic and cultural ties.
US recognized Morocco’s reign over West Sahara
The breakthrough comes as the US government earlier moved to recognize the disputed territory of Western Sahara as part of Morocco.
“Today, I signed a proclamation recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara,”the President tweeted. “Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal is the ONLY basis for a just and lasting solution for enduring peace and prosperity!”
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1337067019385057290
>“Morocco recognized the United States in 1777. It is thus fitting we recognize their sovereignty over the Western Sahara,” he added.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1337067127455539201
In a separate statement, the White House said President Trump’s move “affirms, as stated by previous Administrations, its support for Morocco’s autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory.”
It added that the US believes that “an independent Sahrawi State is not a realistic option for resolving the conflict and that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution.”
