Kazakhstan–Israel relations in 2025 and 2026

What changed in relations in 2025 and 2026

Kazakhstan and Israel established diplomatic relations on 10 April 1992. The Israeli Embassy in Kazakhstan opened in August 1992. The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Israel opened in May 1996. The Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation has been in operation since 29 June 1992. The bilateral legal framework was developed long before the events of the last two years. Reference from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

In 2025 and 2026, relations developed in several directions. Political dialogue, sectoral contacts, and business negotiations continued, and the sides prepared new documents. Accession to the Abraham Accords added an additional international framework to bilateral relations. Official visits took place in January and April 2026. The ministries then continued work on practical arrangements.

Official reports from 2025 and 2026 record statements, signed documents and events that took place. Some agreements remained under preparation as of September 2026.

Political dialogue intensified in autumn 2025 before accession to the Abraham Accords

On 8 October 2025, the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan and Israel, Yermek Kosherbayev and Gideon Sa'ar, held a telephone conversation. The Kazakhstani side reported that the discussion covered the implementation of agreements reached by heads of state and senior officials, as well as regional and international agendas. This was one of the episodes of political dialogue before the events of November. Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

On November 7, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan officially announced the country's accession to the Abraham Accords. This step cannot be described as establishing relations with Israel, as diplomatic ties have existed since 1992. It was about including Kazakhstan in an additional international framework.

At the same time, Kazakhstan did not abandon its previous position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In the statement on joining the Abraham Accords, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed its support for a settlement based on international law, relevant UN resolutions, and the principle of two states for two peoples. Kazakhstan continues to develop relations with Israel and maintains its position on the Middle East settlement. In Kazakhstan's diplomacy, these directions exist in parallel. Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of 7 November 2025.

Documents on water and education were signed in November

Almost simultaneously, new sectoral documents appeared.

The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Regional Cooperation of Israel signed a memorandum on water resources management. It included the modernisation of water management infrastructure, water conservation and reuse, digital accounting and monitoring, data processing, flood and drought risk management, scientific and technical cooperation, and specialist training. Message from the Ministry of Water Resources of Kazakhstan.

A separate memorandum linked Kazakhstan's Ministry of Education with Israeli structures in education for children with special educational needs. In February 2026, Kazakhstani specialists completed a course on special and inclusive education in Haifa at the MASHAV training centre and received certificates. Message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan about the memorandum and the course.

Gideon Sa'ar's visit in January 2026

On January 27, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar arrived in Astana on an official visit. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry described it as Sa'ar's first visit to Kazakhstan and the first official visit by Israel's foreign minister to the country in sixteen years. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry's statement.

In Astana, the 12th round of political consultations between the foreign ministries took place. Discussions included political dialogue, trade and investment, tourism, education, science, healthcare, technology transfer, and the international agenda, including cooperation within the framework of the Abraham Accords. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry on consultations.

Following the consultations, the parties signed a memorandum on cooperation in diplomatic training and a second memorandum dedicated to public diplomacy. The third document was a memorandum of intent to conclude an agreement on visa exemption for holders of national passports. The January statement referred to the preparation of an agreement, not the introduction of a mutual visa-free regime. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry on documents.

The January statement noted the intention to prepare an agreement, not its entry into force. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry's table indicates visa-free entry to Kazakhstan for holders of Israeli ordinary passports for up to 30 days. It does not describe the entry rules for citizens of Kazakhstan to Israel. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry's table.

The business forum and commercial agreements

Alongside the ministerial negotiations in Astana, the Kazakhstan-Israel Business Forum took place. Approximately thirty Israeli companies from various sectors participated. The business programme discussed agrotechnologies, information and financial technologies, water management, infrastructure, and other areas. Forum outcomes on the KAZAKH INVEST website.

As a result of the forum, three commercial documents were signed.

The first concerned cooperation in modernising housing and utilities infrastructure, as well as water infrastructure, with the participation of the Israeli state water company Mekorot Development & Enterprises. The second was an investment agreement for the construction of a bitumen plant in the Atyrau region. The third document was a memorandum on cooperation in electricity generation using renewable energy sources in the East Kazakhstan region. List of documents provided by KAZAKH INVEST.

The forum announcement confirms the signing of three documents but does not describe the construction of the plant, the commissioning of the energy facility, or the infrastructure modernisation.

Mekorot talks in the Turkistan region

The Mekorot delegation worked in the Turkistan region, where they discussed water resource management, infrastructure modernisation, digitalisation of drinking water supply, and potential joint projects with regional authorities. The announcement mentions negotiations and the intention to consider projects, not their completion. The status of 'implemented' is not confirmed by this source. Announcement from the akimat of the Turkistan region.

In the spring, relations developed against the backdrop of a new escalation in the Middle East

On March 9, the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan and Israel discussed the situation in the Middle East and the evacuation of Kazakhstani citizens from Israel. The Kazakhstani side prioritised assisting its citizens and requested Israeli cooperation in the evacuation. Kazakhstan MFA statement.

On April 20, a week before the presidential visit, Yermek Kosherbayev met with Israeli Ambassador Yoav Bystritsky to discuss bilateral relations and expressed concern over the escalation in the Middle East. Kazakhstan offered Turkistan as a venue for peace talks. Kazakhstan MFA statement.

In spring, discussions simultaneously addressed the safety of Kazakhstani citizens and the country's stance on Middle East settlement.

Isaac Herzog's official visit on 27 and 28 April 2026

On April 27, Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in Astana for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Israeli President's Office statement.

After the welcoming ceremony, the presidents held one-on-one talks, followed by an expanded meeting with delegations. Kazakhstani and Israeli officials linked discussions to economic cooperation, political dialogue, and technological areas. Israeli President's Office statement.

Herzog's delegation included representatives of organisations working in the field of innovation and technology. On the second day, according to the published programme, visits to the National Museum and the International Centre for Artificial Intelligence with a technology roundtable were scheduled. The meeting with the Jewish community at the Beit Rachel Synagogue took place on 28 April. Visit programme; Meeting Report.

The Abraham Accords featured in presidential talks

During the talks in Akorda, both presidents separately addressed Kazakhstan's decision to join the Abraham Accords. Statement from the Office of the President of Israel.

Tokayev spoke about Kazakhstan's decision to participate in the international framework of the Abraham Accords and emphasised that bilateral relations with Israel have been developing since 1992. Herzog welcomed Kazakhstan's accession. Statement from the Office of the President of Israel.

The Abraham Accords relate to the modern stage of relations. They are not the beginning of the diplomatic history of Kazakhstan and Israel.

Direct flights in 2023 and 2026

A statement from the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Israel indicates that Air Astana began flights between Almaty and Tel Aviv on 7 September 2023. This date refers to the launch of the route in 2023 and does not confirm the schedule for 2026. Embassy Statement Archive.

Kazakhstan's Aviation Administration has included SCAT's route between Shymkent and Tel Aviv, which was scheduled to launch on June 9, in the list of routes for 2026. When checking the carrier's timetable on 29 September 2026, flight DV-472 between Tel Aviv and Shymkent was displayed with the status 'cancelled'. The timetable confirms the status of this entry on the date of the check but does not confirm the flight's operation or the route's regular operation for the entire season. List of Kazakhstan's Aviation Administration; SCAT timetable.

The status of a single flight does not describe the route's operation for the season. Before travelling, it is necessary to check the schedule and changes with the carrier.

What happened after the presidential visit

Following the April visit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassies continued contacts at the agency level and within the intergovernmental commission.

On June 8, the co-chairs of the Kazakhstan-Israel Intergovernmental Commission held an online meeting. The next meeting was planned to take place in Israel approximately in November 2026. The preparatory agenda included digitalisation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, water resources, high-tech agriculture, medicine, and expansion of the treaty framework. Message from the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Israel.

On June 11, Kazakhstan's Ambassador Daulet Emberdiev participated in an event organized by the Arab Council for International Relations and the Forum of Arab Cultural Associations. The discussion considered prospects for cooperation within the framework of the Abraham Accords and humanitarian initiatives to assist in the post-war reconstruction of Gaza. The embassy reports on the discussion of these topics but does not name an approved aid project or funding amount. Embassy message from 11 June.

In July, the Kazakhstan embassy and the Center for International Programs discussed cooperation with Tel Aviv University and opportunities under the Bolashak programme. The embassy noted that over the years, 145 Kazakhstani specialists had completed training and internships in Israel under the Bolashak and Scientific Internships programmes. The July statement concerned developing cooperation with a specific university. Embassy's 8 July message.

On August 19, the Kazakhstani ambassador and the leadership of Israel's customs service announced the completion of negotiations on a draft convention to avoid double taxation; its signing was only planned at that time. The digitisation of customs procedures was also discussed. Embassy's 19 August message.

On September 20, the embassy reported on negotiations with Israel's Ministry of Labor. A draft agreement on regulating the labor activity of Kazakhstani citizens in Israel and a draft interdepartmental memorandum on labor issues remained under consideration. According to the embassy, work on this direction has been ongoing since 2021. The statement concerns negotiations on documents. It does not establish that a new employment arrangement has entered into force. Embassy's 20 September message.

Kazakhstan's position on Palestine in September 2026

On September 24, at the OIC Coordination Meeting, Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi reaffirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to the peaceful resolution of international disputes and supported mediation efforts to stop the escalation, ensure sustainable peace, and normalize the humanitarian situation in Gaza. This statement was made on a multilateral platform and was not a bilateral agreement with Israel. Kazakhstan MFA's message.

Kazakhstan at the Abraham Accords meeting in September 2026

On 24 September 2026, during the UN General Assembly in New York, the Abraham Accords countries held their first official meeting since 7 October 2023. According to CBS News, representatives of the United States, Israel, the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco took part. Officials from Kazakhstan joined them for the first time. The N7 Foundation organised the meeting. Kazakhstan's Ambassador Erzhan Kazykhan told CBS News that he saw the Accords as a platform for political dialogue, expanding trade and investment, strengthening connections and technological cooperation. CBS News, 25 September 2026.

On 27 September, Kazakhstan's ambassador met Israel's Minister of Culture and Sport, Miki Zohar. They discussed exchanges of experience between the relevant ministries, federations and Olympic committees, including training athletes and coaches, youth sport and sports medicine. The embassy reports a willingness to continue contacts in these areas; the publication does not identify a separate signed document. Embassy statement; publication date in the embassy archive.

What has happened and what remains a plan

The headlines of official statements can make 2025 and 2026 look like a continuous series of “new agreements”. Their status differs. This article distinguishes meetings that took place, documents that were signed, a completed course and projects still under negotiation.

Completed events include Kazakhstan's accession to the Abraham Accords, the twelfth round of political consultations, the visits by Sa'ar and Herzog, the signing of the November and January documents, and training for Kazakhstani specialists in inclusive education.

Other areas remain at different stages. The foreign ministry's January statement recorded an intention to prepare a visa waiver agreement; the August statement on the tax convention said signing was still planned; on 20 September, draft documents on employment remained under consideration. The next intergovernmental commission meeting was planned for November. These statements describe plans and negotiations as of the dates given, rather than completed results. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry, 27 January; Kazakhstan's embassy, 19 August; Kazakhstan's embassy, 20 September; intergovernmental commission.

In brief

• On 7 November 2025, Kazakhstan's foreign ministry announced that the country was joining the Abraham Accords. Its statement reaffirmed support for a settlement based on international law, UN resolutions and the two-state principle. Foreign ministry statement, 7 November 2025.
• In November 2025, Kazakhstan and Israel signed documents on cooperation in water management and special education. In February 2026, Kazakhstani specialists completed a MASHAV special education course and received certificates. Water resources memorandum; foreign ministry statement on the course.
• On 27 January 2026, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar visited Astana. The twelfth round of political consultations took place during the visit. Two cooperation memoranda were signed, along with a memorandum of intent to prepare a visa waiver agreement for holders of national passports. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry on the documents.
• That day, three commercial documents were signed at the business forum, covering water and utilities infrastructure, bitumen production and renewable energy. Signing them does not itself establish that the projects have been carried out. Forum outcomes on the KAZAKH INVEST website.
• On 27 and 28 April 2026, Israeli President Isaac Herzog made an official visit to Kazakhstan, held talks with the country's president and met the Jewish community. Talks; meeting with the community.
• On 11 June 2026, Kazakhstan's ambassador to Israel took part in an event organised by the Arab Council for International Relations and the Forum of Arab Cultural Associations. Topics included humanitarian initiatives to support the reconstruction of Gaza. Embassy statement.
• On 24 September 2026, at the OIC Coordination Meeting, Kazakhstan's foreign minister reaffirmed a commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and supported mediation efforts to end escalation, secure lasting peace and normalise the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry statement.
• On 24 September 2026, the Abraham Accords countries held their first official meeting in New York since October 2023. Officials from Kazakhstan joined representatives of the United States, Israel, the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco for the first time. CBS News, 25 September 2026.
• Kazakhstan's Aviation Administration listed plans to launch SCAT's Shymkent–Tel Aviv route in 2026. SCAT's flight board on 29 September showed flight DV-472 as “cancelled”. Air Astana began Almaty–Tel Aviv flights on 7 September 2023. This information does not establish that the routes operated regularly throughout the season. Kazakhstan's Aviation Administration list; SCAT flight board; Air Astana launch announcement.
• On 27 September 2026, Kazakhstan's ambassador and Israel's Minister of Culture and Sport discussed developing sporting contacts. Meeting statement.
• As of 29 September 2026, Kazakhstan's foreign ministry table indicated visa-free entry to Kazakhstan for Israeli ordinary passport holders for up to 30 days. The January statement recorded an intention to prepare a mutual visa waiver agreement. In August, signing the tax convention was still planned; on 20 September, draft employment documents remained under consideration. Kazakhstan's foreign ministry table; visa memorandum; tax convention; employment documents.