Tajikistan is establishing relations with Israel

Israel and Tajikistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at developing tourism and investments.

According to Israeli media, during a visit to Dushanbe, Israel’s Minister of Tourism Chaim Katz and the Chairman of the Committee for the Development of Tourism of Tajikistan Jamshid Jumakhonzoda signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries, aimed at enhancing economic ties and cooperation in the field of tourism.

Israeli journalist Den Shamuel Elmas also published a joint photograph of the ministers on September 19 on “X”.

Photo: Internet

There are no official diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Israel; however, the visit of the Israeli Minister of Tourism is considered the first official meeting where a memorandum of understanding was signed with a government body of Tajikistan.

“Even in this difficult period, I met with representatives of countries with which we have no official relations, and I was received warmly,” the Israeli official wrote on “X”.

Despite the official visit and the signing of tourism agreements between Tajikistan and Israel, no official announcement has been published in any state media of Tajikistan. Neither the official website of the Committee for the Development of Tourism, nor the national news agency “Khovar”, nor other state media mentioned this meeting.

There is also no information about the details of the visit, when it took place, and what agreements were reached between representatives of Israel and Tajikistan.

Since October 2023, Israel has been conducting air and ground attacks on Gaza, and the humanitarian situation in the region has become extremely critical. The killing of innocent people, the ban on food and humanitarian aid supplies, the blockade, and the destruction of land and homes in Gaza have placed Israel in international isolation.

Currently, the International Criminal Court is examining a criminal case against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the UN recently accused Israel of genocide in a report. The European Union is also considering the possibility of imposing sanctions against Israeli leaders for violating international norms.

The announcement has sparked widespread discussion in the Tajik segment of social media.

“These days, most countries in the world are trying to sever ties with Israel or bring it to court in The Hague, while Muslim Tajikistan is establishing relations with this country — how can this be explained?” users are writing.