The Complex Dynamics Of Afghanistan-Israel Relations

Afghanistan does not recognise Israel. However, in 2024, there were reports that Afghanistan would announce official recognition of the Jewish state in the coming days. This would be the first step towards the establishment of ties with other Muslim countries in the region, such as Pakistan.

As of 2020, 28 UN member states have never recognised Israel, and 13 do not accept Israeli passports.

Afghanistan's recognition of Israel would be influenced by other Muslim countries in the region

In 2020, four Arab countries—the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco—agreed to forge ties with Israel. This was a significant breakthrough in the Arab-Israeli conflict, as many Arab and Muslim-majority countries have refused to recognize Israel as a sovereign nation. This is largely due to political solidarity with Palestine, whose sovereignty is recognized by approximately 139 UN members.

In 2002, the Arab League proposed that recognition of Israel by Arab countries could pave the way for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, the Palestinian National Authority has condemned any Arab agreement with Israel as dishonourable, describing such agreements as a betrayal to the Palestinian cause.

In 2005, Saudi Arabia announced the end of its ban on Israeli goods and services, but as of August 2006, the boycott was still in place. In 2011, amid the Arab Spring uprising, Wikileaks revealed hidden relations between Bahraini and Israeli officials. In 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates recognized Israel, largely to gain Saudi support against Iran.

In 2010, a Pakistani newspaper reported that Afghanistan would soon announce its official recognition of Israel, which could pave the way for other Muslim countries in the region, such as Pakistan, to follow suit. However, Pakistan's president later stated that "Pakistan will not recognize Israel before a Palestinian state is established."

Israel's foreign relations are primarily influenced by its strategic situation in the Middle East, the broader Arab-Israeli conflict, and the conflict with Iran. Israel's foreign policy goals have been to overcome diplomatic isolation and achieve recognition and friendly relations with as many nations as possible.

Turkey was the first Muslim-majority nation to formally recognize Israel, and Iran was the second. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has changed its viewpoint, calling for Israel's withdrawal from territory occupied in June 1967 in exchange for peace with Arab states.

While Afghanistan has no current relations with Israel, the monarchy did have spiritual relations in the past. Afghanistan was also the only Muslim country that did not revoke citizenship when Jews migrated to Israel.

Afghanistan's recognition of Israel would be influenced by the country's desire to get closer to the US

Afghanistan has never recognised Israel since the latter's creation in 1948, and the two countries have never had formal diplomatic relations. However, in 2005, 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 with Israel once the Middle East peace process progressed and the Palestinians began to get a state of their own.

Karzai's comments were influenced by the country's desire to get closer to the US. Indeed, in the 1980s, Israel cooperated with the US, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other countries as part of Operation Cyclone, where it indirectly provided armaments to the Afghan mujahideen, who were fighting the Soviet-backed Afghan government and the Soviet Union itself.

The US established diplomatic ties with Afghanistan in 1935 and, in 2012, the two countries concluded the Strategic Partnership Agreement to strengthen their bilateral relationship. Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, the US has shifted to a position of pragmatic engagement in Afghanistan.

In contrast, the Taliban has stated that it will not have any relations with Israel.

Afghanistan's recognition of Israel would be influenced by the progress of negotiations between Israel and Palestine

Afghanistan has never recognised Israel since its creation in 1948, and the two countries have never had formal diplomatic relations. However, in 2005, 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 with Israel when there is further progress in the Middle East peace process and Palestinians begin to get a state of their own. Karzai also revealed that he had met Israeli politician Shimon Peres several times, calling him a "dear man, a real warrior for peace".

In 2021, a Taliban spokesperson said that the Taliban would not have any relations with Israel, but wanted relations with other countries in the region and Asia. However, in 2023, the Taliban-governed Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs came out in support of Palestine, claiming that the Hamas attack on Israel was an "Israeli trampling" on the rights of Palestinians.

Afghanistan's recognition of Israel would indeed be influenced by the progress of negotiations between Israel and Palestine. In the past, Afghan officials have stated that the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel would only occur following additional progress in the negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

Israel must ensure that Afghanistan's recognition of Israel is implemented

Israel has long sought to overcome diplomatic isolation and achieve recognition from as many nations as possible, both in the Middle East and beyond. As of 2020, Israel had established diplomatic ties with 164 out of the 192 UN member states, and this number is constantly evolving. Afghanistan's recognition of Israel, if implemented, would be a step towards improving Israel's diplomatic standing in the region and could encourage other Muslim countries to normalise relations.

Israeli officials have expressed that they are not surprised by the reports of Afghanistan's intention to recognise Israel. However, they have also emphasised the need to ensure that the discussed move is indeed fulfilled. In the past, there have been instances where countries have recognised Israel but later rescinded that recognition, such as Chad, Cuba, and Venezuela. Therefore, Israel must take steps to ensure that Afghanistan's recognition is implemented and not just a temporary measure.

One way to do this could be by fostering closer ties and cooperation between the two countries. This could include economic, security, and technological cooperation, as Israel has done with other countries. For example, Israel could offer Afghanistan assistance in areas such as agriculture, water management, healthcare, or military procurement. Additionally, people-to-people connections could be encouraged through educational and cultural exchanges.

Another strategy could be to involve other countries in the region that have already normalised relations with Israel, such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco. These countries could play a mediating role and encourage Afghanistan to follow through with its recognition of Israel. They could also share their own experiences and the benefits they have gained from normalising relations.

Furthermore, Israel could work with Afghanistan to address any concerns or obstacles that may hinder the implementation of recognition. For example, Afghanistan may face pressure from other Muslim countries that do not recognise Israel. In such cases, Israel could offer diplomatic support and work together with Afghanistan to navigate these challenges.

Finally, Israel must also be mindful of the progress of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has stated that the establishment of diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Israel could only occur following additional progress in these negotiations. Therefore, Israel must continue to engage in good faith in these negotiations and work towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

In conclusion, Israel must take proactive steps to ensure that Afghanistan's recognition of Israel is implemented and not just a temporary gesture. By doing so, Israel can improve its diplomatic standing in the region and encourage further normalisation of relations with other Muslim countries.

Afghanistan's recognition of Israel would be influenced by the country's spiritual ties with Israel

Afghanistan has never recognized Israel since the latter's creation in 1948. However, there have been instances where the two countries have come close to establishing formal ties.

In 2005, 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 with Israel when there is further progress in the Middle East peace process. In 2020, the Pakistan Daily Times reported that Afghanistan would announce its official recognition of Israel in the coming days, which could pave the way for other Muslim countries in the region, such as Pakistan, to follow suit. However, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 and its subsequent refusal to establish relations with Israel have been a setback for any potential normalization of ties between the two countries.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, Afghanistan and Israel have had some degree of interaction over the years. In the 1980s, Israel cooperated with the United States, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other countries as part of Operation Cyclone, where it indirectly provided armaments to the Afghan mujahideen, who were fighting the Soviet-backed Afghan government. Additionally, there are origin theories among some Pashtun tribes that claim their descent from Saul, the first monarch of the United Kingdom of Israel.

Frequently asked questions