Kazakhstan To Join Abraham Accords In Symbolic Move

US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Kazakhstan, a Muslim-majority nation in Central Asia, will be the first country to join the Abraham Accords during his second term — a move widely viewed as symbolic since Kazakhstan already maintains diplomatic relations with Israel.

Trump made the announcement on Truth Social following a phone call with Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“This is a major step forward in building bridges across the World. Today, more nations are lining up to embrace peace and prosperity through my Abraham Accords,” Trump said.

He added that a “signing ceremony” will soon be held to formalize the decision, noting that “many more countries” are eager to join the “club of STRENGTH.” “So much more to come in uniting countries for stability and growth — real progress, real results. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS!” he wrote.

US envoy Steve Witkoff had hinted earlier in the day that a new country would join the Abraham Accords but did not disclose which one. The accords, first brokered under Trump’s 2020 administration, established normalized ties between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority nations.

While the move is largely symbolic, it reflects an effort by Trump’s administration to revive momentum for the initiative following the setbacks caused by the Gaza war. Kazakhstan and Israel have maintained diplomatic relations since 1992, shortly after Kazakhstan’s independence from the Soviet Union.

A senior US official told The Times of Israel that Kazakhstan’s inclusion could “reinvigorate” the accords. “It will become the alliance for Arab-Muslim ties with Israel,” the official said, adding that Washington no longer intends to restrict membership to countries without previous ties to the Jewish state.

The Trump administration has continued to push for Saudi Arabia and even Syria to join the accords, though neither currently recognizes Israel. Syria has fought multiple wars against it.

In a statement, Kazakhstan described its move as a continuation of its established diplomatic approach. “Our anticipated accession to the Abraham Accords represents a natural and logical continuation of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy course — grounded in dialogue, mutual respect, and regional stability,” the government said.

Trump hosted Tokayev and the leaders of four other Central Asian nations at the White House on Thursday evening, seeking to expand US influence across the region.

During the dinner, Trump was asked by reporters about the significance of Kazakhstan’s decision, given its existing ties with Israel. He turned to Vice President JD Vance to respond.

“What the president has done is signal that the momentum of the Abraham Accords is alive and well in the second administration. It’s not just going to be Kazakhstan, but also a number of other countries that join in the months to come,” Vance said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the Abraham Accords are designed to go beyond mere diplomatic normalization. “You’re now creating a partnership that brings special and unique economic development on all sorts of issues… The strength of it is to have majority Muslim countries and the Jewish state able to partner on things to show the world that it is possible,” Rubio said.

When asked whether he planned to discuss the Abraham Accords with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during the latter’s upcoming White House visit, Trump sidestepped the question. Instead, he reiterated his support for Sharaa, saying he is doing a “very good job” in a “tough neighborhood,” and justified his decision to remove US sanctions over Damascus.

Reports from August indicated that Azerbaijan may also be among the next countries to join the accords, alongside other Central Asian US allies that already enjoy close ties with Israel.

Kazakhstan, a nation of about 20 million people, ranks among the world’s largest countries by landmass. Although the majority of its citizens are Muslim, the nation identifies as officially secular — setting it apart from other Abraham Accords signatories such as the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco.

A recent international review of school textbooks in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan found generally positive portrayals of Jewish people, a contrast to the content found in many other Muslim-majority states.

While Kazakhstan’s inclusion may not significantly alter regional dynamics, the move serves as a powerful symbol that the Abraham Accords continue to advance under Trump’s renewed leadership — signaling that the vision of broader Muslim-Israeli cooperation remains alive.

Rabbi Marc, of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, wrote tongue-in-cheek:

“I welcome Kazakhstan’s decision to join the Abraham Accords. I am proud to have discussed this initiative with President Tokayev during our several meetings in Astana. In joining the Abraham Accords, how ironic that yet another Muslim-majority country is publicly demonstrating its support for a two-state solution, while New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a democratic Jewish nation.

“He must get on the peace train before history leaves him behind.”