°®Âþµº

is slated to open an in Israel some time this summer, reported the Times of Israel on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister said at a press conference that his Moroccan counterpart will be visiting Israel in order to officially open the North African country’s embassy, with his visit likely to take place within the 'next month or two', according to the Israeli broadcaster Kan.Ìý

Israel opened its liaison office in Morocco in August 2021, but has yet to upgrade the mission to an embassy, while Morocco opened aÌý in Tel Aviv in February of the same year.

David Govrin was nominated as Israel’s permanent ambassador to Morocco, one month after the two countries signed a deal to normalise relations in December 2020.

An Israeli diplomatic source said that the upgrade to Israel’s diplomatic office in Rabat is expected to occur in conjunction with Moroccan foreign minister NasserÌý visit, according toÌýThe Times of Israel.

Rabat established diplomatic ties with Israel shortly after Bahrain and the UAE did, with the controversial .

The normalisation deals have been widely condemned across the Arab world and slammed as a betrayal by Palestinians, who have pointed out that they reward Israel while it continues to occupy the West Bank and besiege the Gaza Strip.

Morocco's normailisation of ties with Israel has been criticised by activists who have regularly held denouncing the deal.

The two countries however, have gone on to sign a series of , including the launching of , and the signing of security, and trade deals.

Bourita made his Ìýin March this year - participating in a summit in the Naqab (Negev) desert in southern Israel along with other Arab foreign ministers while Israel was attempting to evict Palestinian Bedouins from their homes in the area.

His visit prompted backlash from activists in Morocco.

The UAE’s foreign minister is also expected to visit Israel this summer.