Introduction

The dynamic between Israel and Muslim countries is shaped by a rich tapestry of historical events, political shifts, religious narratives, and contemporary diplomacy. This post explores the evolution of their relationship, tracing lines from conflict toward emerging cooperation, key milestones, ongoing obstacles, and what the future holds for the region and beyond.

Historical Background

The Creation of Israel and Early Tensions

The modern State of Israel was established in 1948, following a United Nations partition plan that divided Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. This decision was vehemently rejected by Arab and most Muslim-majority countries, leading to immediate conflict. The 1948 Arab-Israeli War saw Israel engage in battle with neighboring Arab states, setting the stage for decades of hostility.

The Ongoing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

At the heart of the dispute between Israel and many Muslim nations is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—a struggle over land, sovereignty, and identity that has spanned generations. Key issues include the status of Jerusalem, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and the borders of a potential Palestinian state.

Key Periods of Conflict

Multiple Wars and Regional Disputes

• Suez Crisis (1956): Israel, Britain, and France invaded Egypt after the nationalization of the Suez Canal, deepening regional distrust.
• Six-Day War (1967): Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights, igniting further tensions.
• Yom Kippur War (1973): A coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria launched an attack on Israel on the holiest day in Judaism.

Founding of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

Formed in 1969 after an arson attack on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the OIC coordinates the policies of Muslim countries on issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Visit the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation official website for more information.

Steps Toward Peace and Recognition

Pioneering Peace Agreements

Egypt and Jordan

• Egypt: In 1979, Egypt became the first Arab and Muslim-majority country to sign a peace treaty with Israel, facilitated by the Camp David Accords.
• Jordan: In 1994, Jordan followed with its own historic agreement with Israel, formalizing diplomatic and economic relations.

The Abraham Accords

In 2020, the Abraham Accords marked a breakthrough, with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain normalizing ties with Israel. Later, Morocco and Sudan joined the process, signaling a wider regional shift. Discover more at the U.S. Department of State – Abraham Accords.

Quiet Recognition and Strategic Cooperation

While some Muslim countries have formal relations with Israel, others engage more discreetly. For instance, Turkey was the first Muslim-majority nation to recognize Israel in 1949, and Azerbaijan maintains close security ties, despite public rhetoric. See the summary on Council on Foreign Relations – Israel’s Relationships in the Middle East.

Persistent Challenges

The Palestinian Issue and Public Sentiment

Most Muslim countries continue to condition full recognition of Israel on a resolution to the Palestinian conflict. Public opinion in these countries is often deeply supportive of the Palestinian cause, influenced by religious, cultural, and historical factors.

The Status of Jerusalem

Jerusalem remains an especially contentious issue due to its importance to Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Disputes over the control of holy sites continue to shape diplomatic and public attitudes.

Iran and Regional Tensions

Iran stands as one of Israel’s staunchest opponents, supporting anti-Israel groups in Lebanon and Gaza and refusing to recognize the Israeli state. This rivalry also influences relations between Israel and several other Muslim nations.

Growing Cooperation

Economic, Technological, and Security Collaboration

With shifting geopolitical interests and regional threats, several Muslim-majority countries have found common ground with Israel on security, technology, and trade.

• Trade: The UAE-Israel trade volume surpassed $2.5 billion by 2022, with similar deals pursued by Bahrain and Morocco.
• Security cooperation: Shared concerns over Iran’s influence and extremism have fostered covert intelligence collaboration between Israel and some Gulf states.
• Technology: Israeli innovation in areas like water management and cybersecurity attracts interest from various Muslim countries.

Tourism and People-to-People Exchanges

As normalization progresses, direct flights and tourism have begun to link Israel with the UAE, Morocco, and Bahrain, bringing unprecedented cultural exchanges.

Roadblocks and Future Perspectives

Deep-Rooted Differences and Cycles of Violence

• Unresolved final status issues (refugees, borders, Jerusalem)
• Periodic violence in Gaza and the West Bank
• Grassroots opposition to normalization in parts of the Muslim world

Until core disputes are addressed, fully normalized relations between Israel and most Muslim-majority countries will remain limited, though the trend is gradually shifting toward increased engagement.

Opportunities Ahead

Generational change, economic incentives, and shared security threats contribute to a possible thaw in relations. While obstacles remain, there is hope for broader and deeper cooperation in the future, especially if progress is made on the Palestinian issue.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the Abraham Accords?

The Abraham Accords are a series of agreements brokered in 2020 that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority countries. For further details, explore the State Department’s Abraham Accords page.

Which Muslim countries currently have relations with Israel?

As of 2025, Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco have full diplomatic relations. Other Muslim-majority nations, such as Turkey and Azerbaijan, maintain varying degrees of cooperation. Read more at Council on Foreign Relations.

Why do many Muslim countries not recognize Israel?

Principal reasons include enduring solidarity with the Palestinian cause, disputes over Jerusalem’s holy sites, and historical grievances from past wars. The Palestinian question is central in the policy of most countries in the Muslim world.

Is peace between Israel and the Muslim world possible?

While challenges remain—mainly the unresolved status of Palestine—recent normalization efforts demonstrate that progress is possible when mutual interests align and dialogue is prioritized.

Disclaimer: This blog post incorporates external resources for further reading and verification of key facts and agreements. All external links are intended to provide readers with authoritative and supplemental material.