Kazakhstan to join ‘Abraham Accords’, deepen ties with ‘Israel’

Kazakhstan is set to announce its decision to join the Abraham Accords during a Thursday meeting between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and US President Donald Trump, according to US officials cited by Axios.

While Kazakhstan and “Israel” have maintained full diplomatic relations for over 30 years, joining the Abraham Accords is seen as a symbolic step to deepen Kazakhstan-“Israel” relations and reaffirm the US-led framework of regional cooperation between “Israel” and the Arab and Muslim world.

A senior US official told Axios that the move aims to revive the Abraham Accords, which were first brokered under Trump’s presidency to normalize ties between “Israel” and several Arab states.

Trump has made it clear that one of his foreign policy goals is to restore “Israel’s” international support, particularly in the wake of the Gaza war that left “Israel” politically isolated in the region.

US officials say Kazakhstan’s entry into the Abraham Accords is intended as a first step toward rehabilitating “Israel’s” standing among Muslim-majority countries and advancing regional cooperation.

“This is going to show that the Abraham Accords is a club that many countries want to be a member of,” a US official said to Axios, adding that it may help “turn the page on the war in Gaza.”

The move critics say normalizes ties with the Israeli occupation and whitewashes its war crimes against Palestinians following a horrifying genocide and an ongoing siege.
No prior conflict, but symbolic weight
Although Kazakhstan has had no history of conflict with “Israel” and maintains open travel and trade policies, the announcement is intended to signal a commitment to religious tolerance and regional dialogue.

Kazakhstan’s move coincides with a new US-Kazakhstan agreement on critical minerals, signed the same day, which may help strengthen bilateral ties with Washington.

Tokayev’s visit is part of a broader summit between the Trump administration and leaders of five Central Asian nations, all Muslim-majority countries. According to officials, Tokayev proactively approached the White House with the desire to formally join the Abraham Accords.

During Thursday’s meeting, Trump and Tokayev are expected to hold a joint call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce the decision. Trump is also pushing for a formal signing ceremony at the White House involving both “Israeli” and Kazakh leaders, and possibly others interested in joining.
Expanding the Abraham Accords format
The original normalization deals, signed between “Israel” and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco, were touted as Trump’s flagship foreign policy achievement. Now, the administration aims to expand the accords beyond normalization, focusing more on regional integration, religious coexistence, and economic cooperation.

US officials are hoping to build momentum ahead of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington on November 18. Trump recently reiterated his desire for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords during an economic conference in Miami.

However, officials acknowledge that a Saudi-Israeli normalization deal remains distant and complex.