US President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to Morocco for its significant contributions to Gaza's reconstruction and stabilization efforts during his address to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. He specifically highlighted Morocco's financial commitments and planned personnel contribution. This acknowledgment was part of his "Board of Peace" initiative, which aims to bring nations together to address critical global issues. Morocco was commended alongside other countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
The Board of Peace had previously announced pledges totaling close to $17 billion for Gaza's reconstruction, with $10 billion from the United States and nearly $7 billion from other nations. Officials confirm that the process of converting these pledges into disbursed funds is ongoing. Morocco's role in the stabilization force was formalized on July 15, when it signed an operational agreement in Rabat. Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita attended the signing ceremony alongside Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace's high representative.
Morocco's contribution to the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza includes senior military officers assigned to the force's joint command, gendarmerie and police personnel, and a military field hospital deployed on the ground. According to information presented to the UN Security Council, Morocco was the first country to formally sign an agreement to participate in the mechanism. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz commended Morocco's involvement, describing it as going beyond diplomatic gestures.
Trump’s remarks came days after Morocco and Israel agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations, with both sides announcing plans to establish full embassies and exchange ambassadors. The decision, announced jointly by Morocco, Israel, and the United States on September 16, also provides for the resumption of direct flights between the two countries and measures to boost investment and avoid double taxation. This upgrade drew criticism from segments of Moroccan public opinion.
Responding to criticism, Bourita told Fox News that Morocco does not agree with Israel on every point and argued that maintaining a relationship with Israel allows Rabat to assist Palestinians on humanitarian grounds. He pointed to Morocco's contribution to stabilizing Gaza as an example. Bourita maintained that Morocco's ties with Israel do not come at the expense of its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause.
Rabat has repeatedly condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza, called for calm and dialogue, and continues to back a two-state solution that includes an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Morocco re-established relations with Israel in December 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords and had suspended its flights to and from Israel following the genocidal war on Gaza.
Trump’s public acknowledgment at the UN General Assembly places Morocco among a small group of countries recognized for combining financial pledges with an active security and humanitarian presence in the Gaza stabilization effort. This recognition underscores Morocco's commitment to contributing to peace and stability in the region.
Key points
- Morocco's financial and personnel contributions to Gaza's reconstruction and stabilization efforts were acknowledged by US President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly.
- Morocco formally joined the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza on July 15, committing senior military officers, gendarmerie and police personnel, and a military field hospital.
- The upgrade in Morocco-Israel relations includes plans for full embassies, direct flights, and measures to boost investment and avoid double taxation, despite criticism from some segments of Moroccan public opinion.
