Earlier this summer, one million barrels of Kurdish oil had controversially been delivered to the Israeli port of Ashkelon. The transaction itself was met with criticism for two reasons: the Kurds are both effectively ignoring the boycott of Israel that was implemented by the Arab League after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and the deal marks another turning point in Kurdistan's fight for independence; a movement that has been systematically thwarted by their neighbors since the late 19th century
Although the ethnic history of the Kurds dates back to 2400 BCE, the emergence of Kurdish nationalism only began to gain fortitude during the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire in the 20th century. In 1916, Britain and France had pledged them a state of their own in the Sykes-Picot Agreement, but this agreement was eventually nullified. Ultimately new states like Turkey, Iraq and Syria were created in the Middle East, which turned the Kurds into minorities in a region that they already had historical claim to. Today, there are about 30 million Kurds who together have formed the largest stateless nation' in the world.
The Israelis and the Kurdish have had a strong working relationship ever since the 1960s. Israel views the Kurds as secular Muslims who refuse to become indoctrinated into the Islamic caliphate. Israel and Kurdistan also share a common framework of history. Initially, the Kurds saw Judaism as an inferior religion to Christianity, let alone on equal ground with Muslims. However after the formation of Israel these feelings were transformed. Perhaps they admire their success and wish to imitate it in Kurdish regions, as both are relatively small nations who have been repressed through persecution and war. From ancient times until today, dominant cultures have also continued to refuse to recognize them as independent nations.
Despite their similarities, it would be naive to believe the two are collaborating because of a new found friendship. The transaction of oil, and any other deal that may be agreed upon in the immediate future, are politically motivated. But this does not mean it won't be mutually beneficial for both parties.
In March of this year, the central Iraqi government significantly cut the annual financial investments given to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). These cuts have decreased the KRG's import and export rates by 50% over the past six months. Even the United States government has rejected to buy oil from the Kurdish in fear of upsetting the central Iraqi government and increasing tensions in those regions. As a result, the KRG are in desperate need to sell oil to a committed buyer. If they fail, their claims for independence will be even further compromised.
The Kurds have already denied selling the oil directly or indirectly' to Israel. They did this as a precautionary measure to plausibly deny any relations with Israel, a country that is disliked by their closest neighbors. Israel simply happened to catch the KRG government at the right time and accept the deal while they were in a delicate position. Since Israel already receives the majority of their oil imports from countries such as Russia, Mexico, Norway, and Kazakhstan, this deal shows that they are hoping to increase the advocacy for Kurdish independence. Why does this matter to Israel? Simply because a Kurdish nation would act as a buffer zone in between Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Turkey, and having an ally in that region will be strategically beneficial to the Israelis in both an economic and political sense.
On the surface this appears to be more a marriage of convenience rather than a blossoming friendship, but regardless of their motivations, it is safe to say that the economic relations between Israel and Kurdistan are solidifying in a region where alliances are hard to come by.
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