These Are the Key Arab and Islamic Countries Israel Seeks to Win Over

Israel is looking to exploit the return of Donald Trump to the White House to resume the “Abraham Accords” normalization agreements with more Arab and Islamic countries. During his first presidential term, Trump successfully brought the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan into normalizing relations with Israeli occupation.

According to local Israeli reports, the “Abraham Accords” are expected to include more Islamic countries in Trump’s second term, many of which already have trade, security, and economic relations with Israel. What remains is to give these relations a political and diplomatic cover through the formal announcement of exchanged ambassadors and normalized ties.

Amid its bloody assault on Gaza, Israel’s Foreign Ministry and the Mossad, in coordination with Washington, have continued targeting several Islamic countries in the normalization process. This is especially significant given their lukewarm stances on the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which has been limited to weak condemnations and modest popular sympathy.

Israeli reports suggest that normalization with Saudi Arabia is likely to pave the way for many other Islamic countries to follow suit, considering Saudi Arabia’s significant standing among Islamic nations and its financial and political influence over many of them.

“Arab Post” presents a projected map for the future of Israeli normalization with various Arab and Islamic countries, geographically distributed across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eurasia.

Secret Talks with Indonesia Under U.S. Sponsorship

Israeli diplomatic circles continue to focus on Indonesia as the most likely candidate for a normalization agreement, given that it is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country and the fourth-largest democracy. The two nations have held secret talks, and the U.S. has been working behind the scenes to persuade Jakarta to proceed with normalizing relations with Tel Aviv.

Although there are no official ties between Israel and Indonesia, their trade, technology, and tourism relations are too significant to ignore. The two countries have signed numerous export and import deals, including oils, fabrics, shoes, and furniture.

Israeli imports from Indonesia reached $77 million, while exports totaled $92 million. Notably, Israeli exports to Indonesia amounted to $66 million in the first quarter of 2024, coinciding with the peak of the Gaza aggression.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated, “If you ask me about important countries we are targeting, Indonesia is one of them.” Despite Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi’s remarks that Israel and its allies are pressuring her country to normalize relations, Israel continues to push for this process.

Indonesia and Israel reportedly agreed during secret talks on resolving their relationship as part of efforts to facilitate Indonesia’s accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group of 38 member countries.

Malaysia: A Stronghold for Hamas

Israeli media frequently portrays Malaysia with hostility, accusing it of being a hub for Hamas operatives. Israeli security agencies claim that many Hamas members are trained there with implicit approval from Kuala Lumpur.

Despite Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s declaration that Israel-linked companies and ships are banned from docking at Malaysian ports, it remains a fact that Malaysia exports millions of dollars’ worth of goods to Israel every year.

Among the products Malaysia exports to Israel are machinery, chemicals, rubber, vegetables, and roots, totaling $10.6 million in Malaysian goods entering Israel in 2024. This reflects a significant increase in trade.

Ibrahim also commented on the Gaza conflict, stating that “I believe in Israel’s right to exist and its right to defend itself,” signaling potential openness toward future relations with Israel, despite earlier calling the war “barbaric” and “genocidal,” and describing Hamas as “freedom fighters.”

Pakistan: Promising Prospects

In recent years, Pakistan has had communications with Israel aimed at exploring the possibility of normalizing relations, particularly during the tenure of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

A “secret message” was delivered by Khan’s advisor, Syed Bukhari, to former Mossad head Yossi Cohen, signaling Pakistan’s willingness to initiate political and diplomatic talks with Israel. Israel responded with positive signals, promising economic benefits if normalization occurs.

A Pakistani media delegation visited Israel, meeting with Israeli officials, including President Isaac Herzog. While Pakistan officially denies any attempts at normalization, citing the need for a fair solution to the Palestinian issue, there is growing evidence of covert diplomatic interactions.

Pakistani military officials are keen on developing ties with Israel, arguing that such relations could improve Pakistan’s position with the United States and help balance its relations with India. The Pakistani military sees normalization as a pathway to enhance strategic advantages in the region.

Sudan: Targeting Palestinian Resistance

The visit by former Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to Sudan in February 2023 raised eyebrows as he highlighted Sudan’s strategic location on the Red Sea coast, its past involvement with Hamas, and its arms shipments. Israeli reports reveal that Israel has been in secret talks with Sudan, aiming to stop the flow of weapons to Hamas.

The normalization process with Sudan, if completed, will have significant security, strategic, and military dimensions. Israel seeks to prevent arms from reaching Palestinian resistance in Gaza, a key priority in its engagement with Sudan.

A landmark meeting between Sudanese leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Netanyahu in Uganda shocked many, given Sudan’s long-standing animosity with Israel. Strategically, this normalization would provide Israel with an extended Red Sea coastline, strengthening its presence in the region.

Economically, Israel seeks to position Sudan as a developed market for its goods, having already agreed on projects in renewable energy, healthcare, aviation, and agriculture, including funding a fertilizer plant in Sudan.

Somalia: Military Base Ambitions

Somalia has not been excluded from Israel’s diplomatic efforts, with a significant push to bring it into the normalization fold. After a meeting between former Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and a secret meeting between Mohamud and Netanyahu, Somalia has become a key target.

Israel seeks several gains through normalization, including enhancing its global standing, boosting investments, and gaining access to new markets for technology and arms trade.

Israel’s focus on Somalia includes the establishment of a military base in the country, which would position Israel closer to Yemen and other Arab and African nations in its sphere of interest. This would serve as a strategic outpost for Israeli operations in the region, particularly in its war against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Azerbaijan: Strategically Encircling Iran

Despite its long-standing security and economic ties with Azerbaijan, recent leaks suggest Azerbaijan is on the verge of joining the “normalization accords,” giving it exceptional importance among Islamic nations. Azerbaijan’s geographical position between Iran and Russia makes it highly significant for regional security. Both Israel and Azerbaijan see Iran as a threat, prompting close cooperation in military and energy sectors.

Azerbaijan has been Israel’s primary energy supplier, with oil exports increasing by 55% during the Gaza conflict. Trade between the two countries, excluding oil, amounts to $200 million annually, and Azerbaijan’s Jewish community plays a key role in these growing ties.

Israel is actively engaging with Central Asian nations like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan, with a focus on strengthening relations with countries bordering Iran. These nations have visited Israel’s military headquarters on Gaza’s borders, as well as its aerospace facilities.

Bangladesh, Maldives, Comoros, and Oman

Despite not officially recognizing Israel, Bangladesh has reportedly cooperated with the country, especially in sectors like tourism, health, and education. Additionally, Israel has made efforts to open diplomatic ties with the Maldives, which could see progress soon. Meanwhile, relations with the Comoros are quietly being developed, with efforts made to establish diplomatic relations after the Oslo Accords.

Oman, a former diplomatic partner with Israel before the Second Intifada, is also a potential candidate for normalization, especially following Netanyahu’s visit to Oman and prior visits by Israeli leaders like Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. Though Oman severed ties after the Al-Aqsa Intifada, it has allowed Israeli flights to pass through its airspace, hinting at a potential warming of relations.

Mauritania and Sub-Saharan Africa

Israel’s successful diplomatic outreach to Chad is seen as a pivotal breakthrough, with the potential for similar successes in other Sub-Saharan African countries. Chad’s position between Libya, Algeria, Sudan, and Niger makes it a strategic partner for Israel, and it has agreed to significant economic and agricultural projects.

Israel also has strong interests in Mali, which could be the next target for normalization after Chad. Mauritania, which severed its diplomatic ties with Israel in 2010, could also be a target as Israel deepens its relations with the UAE and leverages the efforts of the Trump administration.

Countries like Niger, a major uranium supplier, are also of interest, with Israel aiming to strengthen its ties with them to reduce opposition in international forums.