Donald Trump, Netanyahu

Kazakhstan is going to join the Abraham Accords, which is an agreement between Israel and Arab and Muslim majority countries. The move was announced on Thursday. This step is being considered symbolic because Israel and Kazakhstan already have diplomatic relations.

Kazakhstan and Israel have had diplomatic relations since 1992, and Kazakhstan is geographically further away from Israel than the other Abraham Accord countries Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan and the UAE.

Kazakhstan joins Abraham Accords

These countries agreed to normalize their relations with Israel after joining the Abraham Accords, whereas Kazakhstan had already improved relations with Israel 33 years ago. Kazakhstan’s involvement in the accord was first confirmed to the Associated Press by three US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to share details of the plans that have not yet been made public.

A few hours later, Trump wrote on his social media that he had a very good conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and that Kazakhstan is the first country in my second term to join the Abraham Accords.

Trump said a big step

Trump said Kazakhstan’s inclusion is a big step toward building bridges around the world and added, “Most countries are getting ready to embrace peace and prosperity through my Abraham Accords.” Trump said that a signing ceremony will take place soon.

Trump made this announcement shortly before the start of a summit held on Thursday evening, which included leaders of five Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan. US officials said Kazakhstan’s joining the Abraham Accords is important because it will signal increased bilateral trade and cooperation between the two countries.

He explained that Israel and Kazakhstan will have special areas of cooperation: defense, cyber security, energy and food technology, however, all these areas have already been under bilateral agreements since the mid-1990s.

What are Abraham Accords?

There is an agreement between Israel and Arab and Muslim majority countries. Which happened in the year 2020. It established diplomatic relations between Israel and two Gulf Arab states, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Soon after, a similar agreement was signed with Morocco.

Until then, only Egypt and Jordan had formally recognized Israel. Most other Arab countries had promised not to do so until a Palestinian state was created.

Diplomatic relations were established as a result of the agreement. In fact, before this, when there were no diplomatic relations, Israeli citizens could not travel to those countries nor could their citizens go to Israel. Furthermore, any trade and security cooperation had to be done in secret. Before the Abraham Accords, many Arab countries, including the Emirates, also blocked direct calls to Israel.

President Trump described the Abraham Accords as the highest foreign policy achievement of his first term.

Benefits of the agreement?

1. Diplomatic relations were established between the countries.
2. Citizens got permission to travel.
3. Cooperation in trade and security became easier.
4. Before the Abraham Accords, direct calls to Israel were prohibited in many Arab countries.