Kazakhstan Joins the Abraham Accords
Kazakhstan has officially become a party to the Abraham Accords, announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday. This marks the first country to join the agreement during Trump's second term.
Background of the Abraham Accords
The Abraham Accords are a set of US-brokered agreements that established formal diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were the first to sign in 2020, followed later by Morocco and Sudan.
The agreements "were named after Abraham, a revered figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, reflecting a shared heritage among the participating nations and a symbolic spirit of reconciliation."
Significance of Kazakhstan's Entry
Kazakhstan has maintained full diplomatic and economic ties with Israel for over 30 years. Its accession brings new symbolic and strategic importance to the accords, especially considering evolving geopolitics in Central and West Asia.
The Abraham Accords originally broke a long-standing taboo by making the UAE and Bahrain the first Arab states in 25 years to recognise Israel.
Role of the Trump Administration
These agreements were facilitated by Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, and remain a key foreign policy achievement from Trump’s first presidency.
Summary
Kazakhstan’s inclusion revitalizes the Abraham Accords, enhancing the US-led initiative to foster diplomatic ties between Israel and Muslim-majority nations amidst changing regional dynamics.