The Complex Relationship Between Afghanistan And Israel: Understanding The Underlying Tensions

Afghanistan has a long history of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. The country's religious scholars, teachers, and peers often associate terms like Zionists and Jewish Lobby with Israel and the Jewish people. There is also a common expression that Hitler left some Jews alive to remind the world of how noxious they are. However, Afghanistan once had a thriving Jewish community, and there are still some synagogues and Jewish sites in the country. In recent years, there has been some curiosity and efforts to build relationships between citizens of the two countries, but Afghanistan still does not have formal diplomatic ties with Israel.

Afghan Jews have emigrated to Israel, the US, and the UK

In Afghanistan, the Jews formed a community of leather and karakul merchants, landowners, and moneylenders. Jewish families mostly lived in the cities of Herat and Kabul, while their patriarchs travelled back and forth on trading trips across Afghanistan. They carved their prayers in Hebrew and Aramaic on mountain rocks as they moved between the routes of the Silk Road.

The decline of the Jewish community in Afghanistan came in 1870 when Afghan Muslim authorities enacted harsh anti-Jewish measures, triggering a mass exodus to neighbouring countries. Pogroms were carried out in the major Jewish centres of Maimana and Herat, and Jews were forced to pay high taxes and serve in the armed forces. In 1933, the assassination of King Nadir Shah triggered another anti-Jewish campaign. Jews were banished from most Afghan cities, limiting them to Kabul, Balkh, or Herat. In addition, Jews were forbidden to leave town without a permit and forced to pay special taxes.

In 1948, there were over 5,000 Jews in Afghanistan. Afghanistan was the only Muslim country that allowed Jewish emigrants to keep their citizenship. Most Afghan Jews moved to Israel or the United States. Afghan Jews left the country en masse in the 1960s, resettling in New York and Tel Aviv. By 1969, approximately 300 Jews remained in Afghanistan, but most of them left after the Soviet invasion in 1979, leaving only 10 Jews in Afghanistan in 1996, most of whom lived in Kabul.

Today, more than 10,000 Jews of Afghan descent live in Israel. Over 200 Afghan Jewish families live in New York, mostly in Flushing, Jamaica, and Queens. The second-largest population of Afghan Jews is in the UK, with over 100 Jews of Afghan descent living in London.

Afghan Jews were discriminated against and persecuted in Afghanistan

Afghan Jews have a long history in Afghanistan, dating back to at least 2,500 years. However, due to decades of warfare, antisemitism, and religious persecution, the community has been reduced to complete extinction. While Afghanistan was once remarkably tolerant towards Jews for over a thousand years, with cities like Herat and Kabul serving as safe havens for Jews fleeing persecution, the situation began to deteriorate in the late 19th century.

In the 1870s, harsh anti-Jewish measures were enacted, including high taxes and forced military service, leading to a mass emigration of Afghan Jews to neighbouring countries. Pogroms were carried out in the major Jewish centres of Maimana and Herat, and Jews were subjected to discrimination and violence. The situation worsened further in the early 20th century, with the rise of Nazi influence and the spread of antisemitic propaganda. Afghan Jews were accused of conducting espionage and disseminating Bolshevik propaganda, leading to their detention, deportation, and restrictions on their work and trade.

During World War II, the living conditions for Jews in Kabul and Herat continued to worsen, and many Afghan Jews emigrated illegally to British India. After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, most Afghan Jews emigrated there, while others settled in the United States, particularly in New York. By the 1960s, Afghan Jews left the country en masse, seeking a better life in Israel and abroad.

In recent decades, the remaining Jewish community in Afghanistan faced increasing persecution and isolation. Zablon Simintov, believed to be the last Jew in Afghanistan before his departure in 2021, endured detention, jail time, and abuse at the hands of the Taliban. He lived in the only synagogue in Kabul, which was confiscated by the Taliban, and faced challenges in practising his faith, requiring special permission for activities such as slaughtering livestock in accordance with Jewish dietary laws.

The end of Afghanistan's Jewish community came with the Taliban's re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in 2021, leading to the final emigration of the remaining Jews, including Simintov and his distant cousin, Tova Moradi. Today, there are no Jews remaining in Afghanistan, and the country continues to struggle with widespread antisemitism and religious persecution.

Afghanistan has no diplomatic ties with Israel

The reasons for the lack of diplomatic ties between the two countries are complex and multifaceted. One significant factor is the heavy religious influence on the educational curriculum in Afghanistan, which has contributed to negative perceptions of Israel and the Jewish people. The Friday prayer sermons in almost every mosque in Afghanistan have included curses on Israel and Jews. Additionally, anti-Semitic propaganda and conspiracy theories have been spread by various groups, including Nazi Germany during World War II and the Iranian government. This has resulted in widespread anti-Semitism in the country, with slogans such as "Death to Israel" being scrawled on walls and promoted by social activists.

Another factor contributing to the lack of diplomatic ties is the geopolitical interests and religious conflict between Israel and some Arab states. Afghanistan, as a non-Arab state, may have chosen to align itself with these Arab states and refuse to recognise Israel. However, it is important to note that some Muslim states, such as Turkey and Egypt, have maintained friendly ties and recognised Israel.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, there have been instances of cooperation between Afghanistan and Israel. In the 1980s, Israel indirectly provided armaments to the Afghan mujahideen, who were fighting the Soviet-backed Afghan government. Additionally, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai hinted at a desire to establish formal ties with Israel, stating that Afghanistan would be glad to have full relations once there was progress in the Middle East peace process.

In recent years, there have been calls for Afghanistan to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. Waris Sabah, a researcher and student of international relations, has advocated for the normalisation of relations between the two countries. Sabah argues that there is no rational reason for the lack of diplomatic relations and that all Muslim states should mediate dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis to promote peace in the region.

Afghanistan's educational curriculum is heavily influenced by religion, which may contribute to anti-Israel sentiment

The influence of religion on Afghanistan's educational curriculum can be seen in the content of the courses taught in schools and universities. For example, the curriculum includes courses on Islam and Islamic terms and principles, with a focus on non-violent Islamic terminology. Religious scholars and teachers often associate anti-Israel sentiments with Israel and the Jewish people, referring to them as "Zionists" and the "Jewish Lobby". This association may contribute to the anti-Israel sentiment in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's influence on the educational curriculum is also evident. The Taliban have a strict interpretation of Islamic law and have imposed their religious beliefs on the country. They have banned girls from attending secondary school and university, restricted women's rights, and imposed gender segregation, dress codes, and behavioural guidelines. The Taliban's influence on education extends beyond the classroom, as they have also restricted access to social activities such as concerts, which they consider inconsistent with Islamic doctrine.

The heavy influence of religion on Afghanistan's educational curriculum may contribute to the anti-Israel sentiment in the country. However, it is important to note that other factors, such as geopolitical interests and the influence of neighbouring countries, may also play a role in shaping Afghanistan's sentiments towards Israel.

Anti-Israel sentiment in Afghanistan may be influenced by propaganda from Iran and Nazi Germany

Afghanistan has never recognised Israel since the latter's creation in 1948, and the two countries have never had formal diplomatic relations. There is widespread anti-Semitism in Afghanistan, with slogans such as "Death to Israel" being scrawled on public walls. This anti-Israel sentiment may be influenced by propaganda from Iran and Nazi Germany.

During World War II, Nazi Germany broadcast radio programs to Arabic-speaking countries, demonising Jews. These programs drew on Islamic religious themes, with propaganda claiming that Hitler was the Shiite Messiah or Twelfth Imam who had returned to destroy the Jews and communists. Hitler's struggle was also compared to the Prophet Mohammed's clashes with Jewish tribes in Arabia.

In addition, Iran has an outspokenly anti-Israel government and maintains an intelligence presence in Afghanistan. Some experts believe that Iran may be behind the spread of anti-Semitism in Afghanistan as part of an effort to build a united front against the Jewish state. Iran also funds Quds Day, an annual event in Afghanistan that opposes Israel and Zionism.

Furthermore, there is a history of cooperation between Afghanistan and Nazi Germany. Afghanistan established close ties with Germany prior to 1935 and formed important economic and technical connections. During World War II, Afghanistan resisted calls to expel German diplomats and was one of the first countries to recognise the Federal Republic of Germany as the successor of the Third Reich.

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