On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced the Kingdom of Morocco as the fourth Middle Eastern country to establish diplomatic relations with Israel during his presidency.
Trump tweeted, “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!”
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020
The peace deal between Morocco and Israel is the latest in a series of Middle East peace deals Trump has overseen in recent months. In August, Trump announced a peace deal between Israel and United Arab Emirates (UAE), called the “Abraham Accord.” In September, Trump announced Bahrain also joined into a peace agreement with Israel, and in October, Trump announced Sudan as a third country to join on to a peace agreement with Israel.
The Associated Press reported Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner said, “This is a significant step forward for the people of Israel and Morocco. It further enhances Israel’s security, while creating opportunities for Morocco and Israel to deepen their economic ties and improve the lives of their people.”
Axios also reported Kushner said the deal between Israel and Morocco will see the two nations resume official contacts, allow Israeli airlines to use Moroccan airspace, and initiate direct flights between the countries.
The announcement of the new peace deal coincides with the Jewish holiday of Hannakuh. In a translated tweet, Israeli Prime Minister said, “On this Hanukkah holiday we bring a great light of vaccines that will take us out of the corona, and a great light of peace – today with Morocco. We have love and it will win, we have peace and it is already winning! Happy Hanukkah.”
בחג החנוכה הזה אנחנו מביאים אור גדול של חיסונים שיוציא אותנו מהקורונה, ואור גדול של שלום – היום עם מרוקו. יש לנו אהבה והיא תנצח, יש לנו שלום והוא כבר מנצח! חג חנוכה שמח
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) December 10, 2020
Trump also announced the U.S. had signed a proclamation recognizing Morroco’s sovereignty over the Western Sahara territory.
Trump tweeted, “Today, I signed a proclamation recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara. Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal is the ONLY basis for a just and lasting solution for enduring peace and prosperity!”
Today, I signed a proclamation recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara. Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal is the ONLY basis for a just and lasting solution for enduring peace and prosperity!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020
Trump added, “Morocco recognized the United States in 1777. It is thus fitting we recognize their sovereignty over the Western Sahara.”
Morocco recognized the United States in 1777. It is thus fitting we recognize their sovereignty over the Western Sahara.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020
Trump’s full proclamation on Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara reads:
The United States 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. Therefore, as of today, the United States recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory and reaffirms its support for Morocco’s serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory. The United States 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. We urge the parties to engage in discussions without delay, using Morocco’s autonomy plan as the only framework to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution. To facilitate progress toward this aim, the United States will encourage economic and social development with Morocco, including in the Western Sahara territory, and to that end will open a consulate in the Western Sahara territory, in Dakhla, to promote economic and business opportunities for the region.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim that, the United States recognizes that the entire Western Sahara territory is part of the Kingdom of Morocco.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
